
NEW DELHI: India has been making steady progress in the defence sector. The country is developing advanced weapons and defence systems to strengthen national security. STRYKER, a jet-powered kamikaze drone developed by Bengaluru-based startup NextLeap Private Limited, has been designed for precise attack missions against strategic targets. The high-speed weapon was displayed recently and has been developed completely in India.
STRYKER is expected to be a major step forward for India in the rapidly growing field of unmanned combat systems. The drone can achieve a cruise speed of 550 kmph and can carry 30 to 50 kg of explosives. It uses a jet engine developed within India. The use of STRYKER can help reduce risks to human pilots and lower costs during missions that would otherwise require manned fighter aircraft. Compared with other kamikaze drones, STRYKER is expected to have higher speed, faster target identification capability, and better protection from short-range air defence systems.
NextLeap has developed STRYKER specifically for carrying out accurate strategic attacks. The drone is designed to target enemy assets such as radar stations, command centres, logistics hubs, and air defence systems of countries like Pakistan and China.
The drone has been designed with a structure that helps it survive during high-speed combat situations. The successful design and trials of STRYKER highlight the growing capabilities of India’s private defence sector.