No Israel–Azerbaijan rift after Armenia unveils Harop-like drone, experts say

“Even if India did leak such technology, Azerbaijan would surely understand that this was not an intentional move by Israel.”

IAI’s HAROP Loitering Munitions(photo credit: COURTESY IAI)

An Israeli media report published Wednesday claiming that Azerbaijan is “deeply dissatisfied” with Israel over an Armenian-made suicide drone that resembles the IAI Harop has been disputed by regional experts and officials, who questioned its sourcing and warned it could play into the hands of those looking to undermine one of Israel’s most important strategic partnerships.

The report, published by Globes, cited an unnamed defense industry source who said that the technological know-how behind Armenia’s Dragonfly 3 loitering munition, unveiled last October by Armenian firm Davaro, likely reached Yerevan through India, which operates the Harop under Indian Prime Minister Modi’s “Make in India” technology transfer requirements.

The Harop, manufactured by Israel Aerospace Industries, was widely used by Azerbaijan during the 2020 Nagorno-Karabakh war and is in active service with several armies, including India’s, which has reported operational use in recent regional clashes.