What is Kamikaze Drones? Know Technology, Capabilities, and Global Impact

Kamikaze drones, also known as loitering munitions or suicide drones, are a unique class of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) designed for single-use missions. Unlike conventional missiles or reusable drones, these systems are equipped with explosive warheads and are intended to crash into their target, detonating on impact.

These drones combine the loitering capability of surveillance UAVs with the precision strike ability of guided missiles. This blend makes them extremely effective in modern warfare, especially for striking high-value or mobile targets.

Etymology and Concept

The term “kamikaze” is derived from the Japanese word meaning “divine wind.” It historically refers to the typhoons that thwarted Mongol invasions in the 13th century. In modern military terms, it gained prominence during World War II, when Japanese suicide pilots executed attacks by crashing their aircraft into enemy naval vessels.

In today’s context, kamikaze drones embody the same principle: a one-way mission to inflict maximum damage with no return.

Key Features of Kamikaze Drones

• Single-use Deployment: Designed for one-time use with self-destruction upon impact.
• Loitering Capability: Can hover over a designated area, waiting for an optimal target.
• Precision Targeting: Integrated with cameras, sensors, and GPS systems to ensure accurate strikes.
• Remote or Autonomous Operation: Can be guided by human operators or utilize AI-based autonomous targeting.
• Low Detectability: Small size and low radar signature make them hard to intercept.

How Kamikaze Drones Work

1. Launch: Launched from land platforms, vehicles, or handheld devices.
2. Loiter: They fly to a predetermined area and hover while scanning for targets using onboard sensors.
3. Target Acquisition: Targets are identified via real-time video feeds or autonomous AI algorithms.
4. Strike: Once a target is locked, the drone dives onto it and detonates its warhead.
5. Destruction: The drone is destroyed in the process; there is no recovery or reuse.

Tactical Advantages

• Cost-Effective: Significantly cheaper than manned aircraft or guided missiles.
• High Precision: Reduced collateral damage due to accurate targeting.
• Pilot Safety: Eliminates risk to human operators.
• Flexible Deployment: Can be used in urban, desert, mountainous, and maritime environments.

Global Variants and Specifications

Drone Variant	Speed	Range	Warhead	Guidance System	Country of Origin
Shahed-136	185 km/h	1,000–2,500 km	30–50 kg HE	Inertial + GPS	Iran / Russia
Switchblade	~100 km/h	Up to 11 km	Adjustable	Real-time video, GPS	USA
LMS Kamikaze	Up to 80 km/h	Short-range	23 kg	Real-time, remote	India
Harop	Classified	1,000+ km	~15 kg	EO/IR sensors + AI	Israel

Indian Developments and Innovations

India has rapidly expanded its kamikaze drone arsenal, focusing on indigenous manufacturing aligned with the “Atmanirbhar Bharat” mission.

1. Nagastra-1

• Developer: Solar Industries
• Payload: 1 kg warhead
• Accuracy: 2-meter precision using GPS guidance
• Status: 120 drones delivered; total of 420 ordered
• Feature: Lightweight, man-portable, reusable under certain conditions

2. Indigenous FPV Kamikaze Drones

• Developers: Indian Army’s Fleur-De-Lis Brigade & DRDO
• Payload: 400g shaped-charge warhead
• Capability: Tank-piercing, tactical close-range strikes
• Cost: Around ₹1.4 lakh (~$1,700) per unit
• Status: 100+ in production

3. Sheshnaag Swarm Drones

• Developer: NewSpace Research
• Payload: 25–40 kg per drone
• Capability: Swarm deployment, naval and ground warfare
• Status: Prototype unveiled at Aero India 2025

4. KHARGA Drone

• Developer: Indian Army officer initiative
• Cost: ₹30,000 per unit
• Material: Low-cost materials like cardboard
• Role: Reconnaissance and strike missions

Cost Breakdown of Indian Kamikaze Drones

Drone Variant	Cost per Unit	Notable Feature
KHARGA	₹30,000	Ultra-low-cost, ISR and kamikaze roles
FPV Kamikaze (Anti-Tank)	₹1,40,000	Tank-piercing, tactical strikes
Nagastra-1	₹4,70,000	GPS-guided, reusable, precision strike

Operation Sindoor: India’s First Use of Kamikaze Drones in Combat

On May 7, 2025, India conducted a surprise attack named Operation Sindoor, targeting nine terrorist infrastructures in Pakistan and PoK. The operation marked the first battlefield deployment of kamikaze drones by India.

The SkyStriker drones used in the mission were co-developed by Israel’s Elbit Systems and Adani Group’s Alpha Design Technologies. These drones showcased the effectiveness of precision loitering munitions in high-risk combat operations.

Global Usage and Future Outlook

Countries like Russia, USA, Iran, China, and Israel have extensively integrated loitering munitions into their armed forces. The Ukraine conflict has particularly highlighted their value in large-scale drone warfare, with mass production reaching 200,000 units per month in some regions.

Kamikaze drones are expected to play an increasingly central role in future combat, particularly in urban warfare, anti-armor operations, and asymmetric conflicts.