Pakistani Military Intercepts Indian Drones

The military of Pakistan has reported the successful interception and dismantling of over two dozen Indian unmanned aerial vehicles that violated the border since the previous night.

During a press briefing held on Thursday morning, Director-General of Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), Lt Gen Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry, informed that among the downed aircraft were sophisticated ‘Harop drones,’ a loitering munition system originating from Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI).

The leading spokesperson for the army also presented photographic evidence during the briefing, displaying drone wreckage. The drones were intercepted in areas including Karachi and Lahore, which indicates an intrusion of considerable depth.

He reassured the public that the armed forces remain vigilant and are actively working to eliminate further threats.

Harop Drone Capabilities

According to the IAI website, the Harop drone serves a dual purpose, capable of both monitoring a battlefield and engaging targets upon command.

It is particularly known for its capability to target enemy air defenses and other high-value assets. This type of drone blurs the distinction between a typical UAV and a missile, with self-propelled flight and the option for either autonomous or manual control.

If a target isn’t engaged, the Harop can autonomously return and land at its base. Its design permits launch from ground-based systems or aerial platforms.

Operational History

The Harop drone has a documented history of use in conflicts. Azerbaijan notably deployed it against Armenia during the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict in both 2016 and 2020.

It was allegedly used in assaults that inflicted casualties and destroyed military vehicles. Furthermore, there have been reports of the drone’s deployment in the Syrian conflict, with claims of successful strikes against Syrian air defenses and armed forces.

It is also believed that Turkiye may have been among the early adopters of this system.