SOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG
In a strategic pivot, the Indian Air Force (IAF) is increasingly leaning towards using air-launched ballistic missiles (ALBMs) for its long-range strike missions. This shift is largely influenced by the vulnerabilities observed in subsonic cruise missiles, even those with stealth capabilities, which have proven easier for modern air defence systems to intercept due to their predictable flight paths.
The IAF has already integrated the Rampage and ROCKS ALBMs, both of which are imported from Israel. These missiles are designed for precision strikes against high-value, hardened targets. Local production of these missiles is underway, signaling a move towards self-reliance and cost-efficiency in defence acquisitions.
Alongside the induction of foreign systems, India is also focusing on the indigenous development of ALBMs. This not only aims at reducing costs but also at customizing the missiles to meet specific operational needs within the IAF’s strategic framework.
ALBMs, with their ballistic trajectory, offer a significant advantage over cruise missiles by achieving much higher speeds. This speed reduces the window for interception, providing a strategic edge in rapid response scenarios.
Unlike subsonic cruise missiles that follow a more predictable path, ALBMs can execute radar-evasive manoeuvres during their descent phase, making them harder to track and intercept. This capability is particularly advantageous in environments saturated with air defence systems.
The ballistic nature of these missiles allows them to penetrate through layered air defences, offering a reliable means of delivering ordnance to targets deep within enemy territory, even under heavy electronic warfare conditions.
ALBMs provide the IAF with the ability to conduct varied missions, from countering enemy air bases to targeting command-and-control centres or mobile missile launchers, with a level of flexibility that subsonic missiles might lack.
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