Indian Navy might have inducted Maritime version of Israeli HAROP loitering munition

Source : IgMp Bureau

The Maritime HAROP uses the weapon system of the land based LM. The launcher was replaced by a maritime qualified launcher and communications channel was modified to meet operations in the maritime domain. (Illustration: IAI)

Indian Navy has inducted both land and sea-based versions of Loitering Munitions, although it is not clear if the Navy has inducted an imported system or a locally developed loitering munition but Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) had signed a contract in 2021 with an unnamed Asian country for a naval version of the HAROP loitering munition.

HAROP Naval version Loitering Munition has a range of 1,000 kilometers that allows it to penetrate deeply into enemy territory and organically collect intelligence on high-value targets and strike accordingly.

All About Israeli Harop Loitering Munition

The HAROP is a standoff loitering attack weapon system designed to locate and precisely attack targets.

The HAROP loitering missile (LM) type platform which serves as an Electro-Optically guided attack weapon. HAROP LMs are launched from ground-based launchers and controlled via a two-way data link for full man-in-the-loop operation.

HAROP is used to attack high-value targets, including full mission capabilities, from search, through attack and up to battle damage assessment. Combining characteristics of a missile and a UAV, HAROP enables effective mission execution without relying on other external systems for targeting and mission intelligence

The HAROP LMs are programmed before launch by the GCS to autonomously fly to a pre-defined “Holding Area”, where they loiter. The MCS periodically checks their position and status during the route to the “Holding Area”. The MCS operator can thus control a number of HAROP LMs that loiter over a “Holding Area”, he can select one LM for target search and attack, while the others are monitored periodically. The operator directs the selected LM to the target area and uses the video image to select a target, and to attack it. The HAROP tracks the target and then dives on it, detonating the warhead upon impact. If required the attack can be aborted and the operator can re-attack with the same LM. 

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