Harop Loitering Munitions System For The IAF

Jan 9, 2020

The Indian Air Force (IAF) is set to purchase the Harop Loitering Munitions System from the Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) with deliveries commencing next year. Capable of being launched from a variety of platforms, the long-endurance Harop has the capability of functioning as a tactical Unmanned Air Vehicle. The system can be used across a range of scenarios, from low to high-intensity conflicts, urban warfare and counter-terror operations. Equipped with an electro-optical/infrared seeker providing 360° coverage, the aircraft can search for, detect and attack from long range, high-value mobile, time-critical and moving targets on land or at sea and with pinpoint accuracy, as per IAI.

After launch, a Harop air vehicle navigates towards a target area and loiters while searching for targets. If an attack mission is aborted, the UAV can be returned to loitering mode before making a new strike. Another Harop can be used to deliver real-time video to support battle damage assessment tasks. IAI’s success builds on its previous sale of Harpy attack drones to India several years ago, and follows a German army order for the Harop system signed last year with the company.

Courtesy: IDR