SOURCE: IDRW.ORG TEAM
In a recent development that has heightened tensions between India and Pakistan, a tactical unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) belonging to the Indian Army, known as the Switch VTOL (Vertical Take-Off and Landing) hybrid tactical drone, inadvertently landed in Pakistani Occupied Kashmir area after losing control due to a reported “technical malfunction.” The incident has prompted a response from both military establishments, with the Pakistan Army recovering the UAV in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) and subsequently transporting it to Islamabad for further investigation.
The Pakistan Army quickly responded to the situation by securing the Switch VTOL UAV. The debris of the drone has been sent to Pakistan’s Army Cyber Security team, which is conducting a detailed examination to extract any data that could provide insights into the UAV’s mission and origin. The investigation aims to obtain crucial data, including the launch area and other GPS coordinates, from the UAV’s onboard systems.
The Switch VTOL drone, developed indigenously by India, is a versatile tactical UAV designed for surveillance and reconnaissance missions. Its ability to perform vertical take-offs and landings, coupled with its hybrid power system, makes it a critical asset for the Indian Army in monitoring border regions and conducting tactical operations. The loss of such a sophisticated piece of equipment is significant for the Indian military, both in terms of intelligence and technology.
Following the incident, the Indian Army promptly initiated communication through a hotline message, formally requesting the return of the UAV. The message emphasized the unintentional nature of the drone’s entry into Pakistani territory, citing a technical malfunction as the cause. However, Pakistan has not responded positively to India’s request and appears to be focusing on its own examination of the drone’s technology and capabilities.
For India, the immediate concern is the potential exposure of sensitive data that may be stored on the drone. While modern UAVs are typically equipped with encrypted communication systems to protect classified information, the possibility of data retrieval by the Pakistan Army’s Cyber Security team poses a significant risk. The Indian Army might need to reassess its UAV deployment strategies and enhance security measures to prevent such incidents in the future.
NOTE : Article cannot be reproduced without written permission of idrw.org in any form even for YouTube Videos to avoid Copy right strikes. Websites doing illegal reproductions will get DCMA and Legal Notices.