The Indian Air Force (IAF) has decided to add more lethality to its advanced jet fighters by complimenting them with stand-off missiles. A request for information (RFI) to global firms has been sent for stand-off missiles fitted with light warheads which can target enemy planes.
A stand-off missile is a ballistic missile which can be launched at a distance sufficient to allow attacking personnel to evade defensive fire from the target area.
According to IAF, these stand-off missiles can be very lethal when linked with airborne early warning and control systems (AWACS) that provide inputs on enemy missiles and aircraft beyond visual range. Since IAF has AWACS capability, the addition of stand-off missiles will give a decisive edge to the forces. They will be fired from beyond visual range and will enable the security of the fighter jets by remaining out of the offensive range of the enemy aircraft.
As per the RFI, the IAF has specified that it requires a high-accuracy, precision strike weapon to avoid collateral damage. The missile should have a guidance system for both its midcourse and terminal stages after being launched. Besides, the missile must be a day-and-night weapon with all-weather operational capability. In addition, IAF is looking for a ground-based training simulator along with multi-media training packages, dummy training missiles, captive training missile pods and storage-cum-maintenance infrastructure.
Currently, IAF’s MiG-29 and Su-30 jets operate Russian-origin R-27 medium-to-long-range missiles and the R-77 medium range missiles. The IAF’s need to procure long-range air-to-air missiles has become more pronounced since it is increasing the number of Sukhoi aircraft in its fleet, apart from upgrading the MiG-29s.
As for the state-run Defence Research and Development Organization (DRDO), it is planning a host of missile tests in the current year. Almost 10 missiles, including the country’s first intercontinental range ballistic missile (ICBM) Agni-V will be flight tested this year. Besides the sophisticated K-15 earlier, the test of other projectiles that are in the pipeline include advanced air defence (AAD) interceptor, Agni-I, Agni-II, Prithvi air defence (PAD) interceptor, BrahMos, Prithvi, Astra and Agni-V. Amongst these, the debut test of the 5,000 kilometers range Agni-V, a China-specific missile, will be a major event. It is scheduled to be test-fired in September.
A stand-off missile is a ballistic missile which can be launched at a distance sufficient to allow attacking personnel to evade defensive fire from the target area.
According to IAF, these stand-off missiles can be very lethal when linked with airborne early warning and control systems (AWACS) that provide inputs on enemy missiles and aircraft beyond visual range. Since IAF has AWACS capability, the addition of stand-off missiles will give a decisive edge to the forces. They will be fired from beyond visual range and will enable the security of the fighter jets by remaining out of the offensive range of the enemy aircraft.
As per the RFI, the IAF has specified that it requires a high-accuracy, precision strike weapon to avoid collateral damage. The missile should have a guidance system for both its midcourse and terminal stages after being launched. Besides, the missile must be a day-and-night weapon with all-weather operational capability. In addition, IAF is looking for a ground-based training simulator along with multi-media training packages, dummy training missiles, captive training missile pods and storage-cum-maintenance infrastructure.
Currently, IAF’s MiG-29 and Su-30 jets operate Russian-origin R-27 medium-to-long-range missiles and the R-77 medium range missiles. The IAF’s need to procure long-range air-to-air missiles has become more pronounced since it is increasing the number of Sukhoi aircraft in its fleet, apart from upgrading the MiG-29s.
As for the state-run Defence Research and Development Organization (DRDO), it is planning a host of missile tests in the current year. Almost 10 missiles, including the country’s first intercontinental range ballistic missile (ICBM) Agni-V will be flight tested this year. Besides the sophisticated K-15 earlier, the test of other projectiles that are in the pipeline include advanced air defence (AAD) interceptor, Agni-I, Agni-II, Prithvi air defence (PAD) interceptor, BrahMos, Prithvi, Astra and Agni-V. Amongst these, the debut test of the 5,000 kilometers range Agni-V, a China-specific missile, will be a major event. It is scheduled to be test-fired in September.
Source: http://indiadefenceonline.com/2583/iaf-to-acquire-stand-off-missiles-from-global-market/
