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IAF Prioritises Induction of Long-Range Air-to-Air and Air-to-Ground Missiles
Context:
Following the successful use of long-range stand-off weapons during Operation Sindoor, the Indian Air Force is focusing on inducting missile systems with strike ranges exceeding 200 km to enhance deep-strike capabilities while avoiding enemy air defence.
Long-Range Air-to-Air Missiles (AAMs)
- Air-launched guided weapons designed to destroy enemy aircraft beyond visual range (BVR), typically >50 km, using onboard radar or infrared seekers.
Key Features:
- Guidance: Active radar, semi-active radar, or infrared homing.
- Range: 70–400+ km depending on missile type.
- Kill Probability: Designed to engage high-value airborne assets like AWACS, bombers, and fighters before they can strike.
- Launch Platform: Fighter jets, interceptors.
Examples:
- India:Astra Mk-II (160 km), Astra Mk-III (in development, 300 km)
- International: AIM-120D AMRAAM (U.S., ~180 km), Meteor (Europe, >200 km), PL-15 (China, 300+ km), R-37M (Russia, 400 km)
Long-Range Air-to-Ground Missiles (AGMs)
Air-launched precision-guided missiles designed to strike ground or surface targets at stand-off distances, keeping the launching aircraft outside hostile air defence range.
Key Features:
- Targets: Command centres, radar stations, airfields, infrastructure.
- Guidance: GPS/INS, imaging infrared (IIR), laser guidance, terrain contour matching (TERCOM).
- Range: 150–1,000+ km (stand-off capability).
- Warhead Types: High-explosive, penetrator, submunition.
Examples:
- India:BrahMos-A (air-launched supersonic cruise missile, 400–450 km), NG-ARM (New Generation Anti-Radiation Missile, 150–200 km)
- International: AGM-158 JASSM-ER (U.S., ~1,000 km), Storm Shadow/SCALP-EG (UK/France, ~560 km), Kh-59MK2 (Russia, 290–500 km)
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