In a major boost to the firepower of its fighter aircraft fleet, the Indian Air Force has introduced the Rampage long-range supersonic air-to-ground missiles, capable of striking targets at a distance of approximately 250 kilometres.

The missile known as the High-Speed Low Drag-Mark 2 missile in the Indian Air Force was reportedly used in a big way by the Israeli Air Force during its recent attacks on Iranian targets.

According to defence sources, the Indian Air Force has incorporated the Rampage missile into its fleet of Russian-origin aircraft, including the Su-30 MKI and MiG-29 fighters, as well as the Jaguar fighter jets.

The Indian Navy has also inducted the missile in its fleet for the MiG-29K naval fighter jets, they said.

According to the sources, the stand-off weapon will provide Indian fighter pilots with the capability to engage and eliminate targets such as communication centres or radar stations.

The procurement was a part of the emergency powers granted by the Defence Ministry to the armed forces, enabling them to equip themselves with vital weapons and equipment following the onset of the standoff with China in 2020.

The missiles have a longer range than the Spice-2000s used in the 2019 Balakot air strikes.

The Indian Air Force has gone in for multiple weapon systems including the long-range systems from both aboard and Indian vendors.

Indian Air Force recently tested the ROCKS or the Crystal Maze-2 missile in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands territory.

The air-launched ballistic missile had hit its target successfully in the trials done around a fortnight ago.

The induction of the Rampage and its integration with the Russian Su-30 has significantly enhanced the capabilities of the Russian aircraft fleet. Now, these aircraft can launch multiple long-range air-to-ground missiles, including the BrahMos supersonic missiles with a strike range of over 400 kilometres.

The Indian Air Force is now considering the possibility of producing the Rampage under the Make in India program and inducting it in large numbers.

Image source: Hindustan Times