The Indian Air Force (IAF) has deployed the Rampage, a long-range supersonic air-to-ground missile, capable of hitting targets up to approximately 250 kilometers away, substantially boosting the firepower of its fighter aircraft arsenal. In recent airstrikes against Iranian targets, the Israeli Air Force reportedly employed the High-Speed Low Drag-Mark 2 missile extensively, a weapon that […]
IAF Bolsters Arsenal with Rampage Missile
The Indian Air Force (IAF) has deployed the Rampage, a long-range supersonic air-to-ground missile, capable of hitting targets up to approximately 250 kilometers away, substantially boosting the firepower of its fighter aircraft arsenal.
In recent airstrikes against Iranian targets, the Israeli Air Force reportedly employed the High-Speed Low Drag-Mark 2 missile extensively, a weapon that is included in the inventory of the IAF.
As per defense sources cited by ANI, the IAF has incorporated the Rampage missile into its fleet of Russian-made aircraft, including the Jaguar and Su-30 MKI fighter jets.
They mentioned that the Indian Navy has also equipped the missile for use with its MiG-29K naval fighter aircraft.
According to the reports, Indian fighter pilots will possess the capability to target and eliminate radar stations or communication centers utilizing the stand-off weapon.
The acquisition was conducted under the emergency authorization provided by the Defense Ministry to the armed forces, enabling them to procure essential equipment in response to the standoff with China that began in 2020.
The missiles have a greater range compared to the Spice-2000s utilized in the 2019 airstrikes on Balakot.
The IAF has placed orders for various weapon systems, including long-range systems sourced from both domestic and international suppliers.
Recently, the IAF conducted a test of the Crystal Maze-2, also known as the ROCKS missile, in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
Around two weeks ago, the air-launched ballistic missile effectively hit its target during testing.
The Russian aircraft fleet has seen notable expansion with the addition of the Rampage missile and its incorporation into the Su-30. This enhancement enables the Russians to deploy various long-range air-to-ground missiles, such as the BrahMos supersonic missile, with a striking range of nearly 400 km.
The IAF is contemplating the potential production of the Rampage under the Make in India initiative, aiming to introduce it in significant numbers.