After its effective use against Pakistani bases and terror sanctuaries, the Indian Air Force (IAF) is going to order in large quantities Rampage air-to-ground missiles from Israel.
Popularly referred to in the IAF as the High Speed Low Drag-Mark 2 missile, the Rampage is already in service on the Su-30 MKI, Jaguar, and MiG-29 fleets of fighter aircraft. Defence officials informed ANI that the missiles were being purchased in large numbers under fast-track orders, whose orders are to be concluded shortly.
The missiles have shown remarkable accuracy, particularly while striking terrorist command centers in Muridke and Bahawalpur in Pakistan's Punjab province. The Rampage, a terrain-following air-to-ground missile, was first procured by India during 2020–21, when tensions with China were at their peak after the Galwan skirmishes.
Its action in Operation Sindoor, where it was heavily fired from Su-30 MKI fighters against Pakistani targets, has also highlighted its effectiveness. Sources say procurement orders will be placed for all fleets that have already been fitted with the missile, and attempts are being made to seek integration with more aircraft types.
The incorporation of Rampage in the Su-30 MKI has significantly enhanced the strike potential of India's Russian-origin fleet with the ability to launch more than one long-range missiles, BrahMos supersonic missiles with ranges of over 400 kilometres being among them. The IAF is also considering the option of indigenously manufacturing Rampage missiles under the Make in India programme, which could lead to mass induction.
Apart from the Rampage, the IAF also tested the ROCKS (Crystal Maze-2) missile last year in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, enhancing its missile capability further.
