HAROP Loitering Munition: Features of the Israeli Kamikaze Drone
Why in the news
The HAROP loitering munition drew attention in May 2025 as a weapon in the Indian forces’ inventory.
Key facts
- Type: loitering munition (suicide or kamikaze drone).
- Maker: Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI).
- Users: Indian Armed Forces, mainly the Air Force and Army.
Features
| Feature | What it means |
|---|---|
| Dual capability | Mixes a UAV (Unmanned Aerial Vehicle) with a precision-guided missile |
| Loitering | Hovers above a target area for a long time while scanning for enemy assets |
| Autonomous target acquisition | Detects, tracks and locks onto high-value targets without exact pre-loaded coordinates |
| Terminal attack mode | Dives onto the target with an explosive warhead, needing no outside command at the last stage |
Exam angle
- Country of origin: Israel (IAI).
- Category: loitering munition, also called kamikaze drone.
- Related terms: UAV, precision-guided missile, terminal attack.