All You Need to Know About Israel-Made Harop Drones Used by India in Pakistan

In today’s battlefield, drones are not just eyes in the sky they are weapons in themselves. One such powerful system is the Harop drone, an Israeli-made loitering munition that has recently made headlines due to its reported use by India during strikes inside Pakistan. As modern warfare increasingly relies on unmanned technology, it’s important to understand what these drones are, why they matter, and how they are being used in regional conflicts.

What is the Harop Drone?

The Harop is a loitering munition, also known as a “suicide drone,” developed by Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI). Unlike traditional drones that return to base after surveillance, the Harop is designed to fly over a target area for hours and strike by crashing directly into the target with an explosive payload.The drone offers an impressive flight time with up to six hours of loitering capability, allowing it to remain airborne for extended missions. It can operate within a range of approximately 200 kilometers from its launch site, providing significant tactical flexibility. Designed for precision strikes, the drone self-destructs upon impact with its target, ensuring maximum effectiveness. It is equipped with advanced sensors, including electro-optical and infrared systems, to accurately identify targets. Additionally, its low radar signature enhances its stealth capabilities, making it difficult to detect and trackThe Harop is primarily used for Suppression of Enemy Air Defenses (SEAD), targeting radars, command centers, and strategic assets with minimal collateral damage.

India’s Use of the Harop Drone

India has been steadily expanding its arsenal of UAVs (Unmanned Aerial Vehicles), and the Harop plays a critical role in that strategy. The Indian Air Force (IAF) began acquiring Harop drones more than a decade ago and has since increased its fleet size significantly.

In recent years, India has integrated the Harop into its tactical and strategic operations, particularly for pre-emptive and precision strikes. With its ability to loiter and identify high-value targets before attacking, the Harop provides India with a unique advantage delivering targeted blows without risking manned aircraft.In May 2025, following a deadly attack on civilians in Indian-administered Kashmir, India launched what it called “targeted retaliatory strikes” across the Line of Control and deeper into Pakistan-administered territory. According to various reports, Harop drones were part of these operations, aimed at destroying infrastructure India identified as militant strongholds or command hubs.

Pakistan’s defense forces claimed they successfully intercepted and destroyed several Harop drones, with figures suggesting up to 25 drones were shot down during the operations. The authenticity of these numbers remains unconfirmed, but what’s clear is that drones like Harop are now at the heart of cross-border military engagements.

Why This Matters for Pakistan

The use of Harop drones in Pakistan’s airspace signals a new phase in the India-Pakistan conflict — one that’s driven by technology, automation, and remote warfare. These developments highlight several concerns:Air Defense Readiness: Pakistan must now focus more on anti-drone systems and electronic warfare capabilities.Surveillance and Response Time: Real-time detection and rapid interception will be key in countering loitering drones.Strategic Deterrence: As unmanned weapons become central to warfare, deterrence now includes not just nuclear or conventional forces, but also drone capability and countermeasures.Drones like the Harop represent a paradigm shift in how nations approach warfare. The focus has moved from mass troop deployments to smart, surgical strikes using unmanned systems. For Pakistan and the wider South Asian region, this means both challenges and opportunities — challenges in countering drone threats, and opportunities in developing indigenous drone technology.

The Harop is just one example of how battlefield dynamics are changing. As more countries acquire similar capabilities, the line between surveillance and strike missions is blurring making it more important than ever for defense systems to evolve.

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