Explained: What are ‘Loitering Munitions’, ‘Suicide Drones’ used in Operation Sindoor

New Delhi, May 7: A key highlight of Operation Sindoor was India’s cross-border precision strike targeting terrorist infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (Pok), which was the use of loitering munitions, with nearly no collateral damage. The loitering munitions are also commonly referred to as “suicide drones.” These cutting-edge unmanned aerial systems represent a new class of precision-guided weapons now becoming central to India’s evolving military strategy.

Loitering munitions are a hybrid between drones and missiles. Unlike conventional projectiles that are launched with fixed trajectories, these munitions can fly over a target area, loitering in the sky, identifying enemy positions, and striking at the most opportune moment. Once a target is selected, the drone crashes into it, detonating its payload, hence the nickname “suicide drones” or “kamikaze drones.” Designed to minimise collateral damage, loitering munitions combine real-time surveillance with precision targeting. Their ability to delay engagement until the right moment sets them apart from traditional guided missiles as reported by The Hindu newspaper. The Army has been steadily inducting loitering munitions into its arsenal in recent years. Among the systems deployed are the Nagastra-1, developed by Nagpur-based Solar Industries, and the Warmate, manufactured by Poland’s WB Group.

The Nagastra-1 is an example of India’s push toward indigenous defence manufacturing. It can deliver a 1.5 kg explosive payload over a range of 15 km, and comes equipped with real-time surveillance and autonomous targeting capability. Such systems are now part of India’s precision strike doctrine, especially in anti-terror operations.

The deployment of loitering munitions in Operation Sindoor marks a significant tactical advancement in India’s counter-terrorism toolkit. These weapons support what officials describe as a “focused, measured, and non-escalatory” approach maximizing impact on terrorist targets while minimizing unintended consequences. With high mobility, lower costs, and rapid deployment capabilities, loitering munitions are fast becoming essential tools in India’s security doctrine, offering a potent blend of deterrence, precision, and strategic flexibility.