SOURCE: AFI
In a significant development, a newly released video captures the Indian Air Force (IAF) Jaguar strike aircraft firing an AIM-132 Advanced Short-Range Air-to-Air Missile (ASRAAM) from its distinctive over-wing pylon. The ASRAAM integration forms a crucial part of the IAF’s DARIN-III (Display Attack Ranging Inertial Navigation-III) upgrades, which are designed to enhance the Jaguar’s operational capabilities and extend its service life.
The DARIN-III upgrade is an ambitious program by the IAF to revitalize its aging fleet of Jaguar aircraft, which have served as a backbone of India’s ground-attack force for decades. This upgrade integrates advanced avionics, mission computers, multi-function displays, and modern weapon systems. The addition of the AIM-132 ASRAAM as part of the upgrade enhances the Jaguars’ short-range air combat and self-defense capabilities, bringing them in line with contemporary requirements for high-stakes missions.
The ASRAAM’s over-wing mounting also underscores the Jaguar’s unique design adaptations, particularly the over-wing pylons, which were initially introduced to increase the aircraft’s ground-attack payload. This configuration now enables the ASRAAM to serve as a formidable air-to-air weapon, allowing the Jaguar to defend itself against aerial threats without compromising its primary ground-attack role.
The AIM-132 ASRAAM, developed by MBDA, is renowned for its high speed and agility. It is a highly maneuverable infrared-guided missile with a range of over 25 kilometers, allowing pilots to engage threats with high off-boresight capabilities. The missile is equipped with a 128×128 resolution seeker, which provides enhanced target discrimination and tracking capabilities, even in high-clutter or countermeasure-heavy environments.
The addition of ASRAAMs to DARIN-III Jaguars aligns with the IAF’s modernization goals, providing the fleet with crucial defensive capabilities for high-stakes environments. The DARIN-III upgrade enhances the avionics, radar, and mission planning systems on the Jaguars, making them more versatile and responsive to modern combat demands.