Article Posted on : - Sep 29, 2009

IAI Harop at Paris Air Show 2009. A File Photo.

NEW DELHI (BNS): India will get its first set of Harop killer drones by 2011. Israeli Harop drones are designed to take down high-value targets like missile sites, radars and even senior enemy personnel, thus adding a new dimension to its combative capabilities.

According to the English daily Indian Express, the inclusion of such drones will give India the capability to attack enemy positions and even moving targets deep inside the enemy territory without having to send across a fighter aircraft.

A top IAF official confirmed that the first batch of Harop drones had been ordered from Israel and would be inducted by 2011, as per the media report.

The IAI Harop is an unmanned combat air vehicle (UCAV) developed by the Malat (UAV) division of Israel Aerospace Industries.

This killer drone is designed to move the battlefield and attack targets by self-destructing into them. They also have an electro-optical sensor that allows it to target moving vehicles, missile positions and other military installations. IAI Harop is mainly developed for suppression of enemy air defences (SEAD) missions.

The Harop is a bigger, improved version of IAI's Harpy anti-radiation drone.