SOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG
In a recent escalation of tensions in the Arabian Sea, the Indian Navy’s deployment of MiG-29K fighter jets armed with two Rampage Air-Launched Ballistic Missiles (ALBMs) has reportedly unnerved the Pakistani military, prompting the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) to deploy F-16 fighter jets to safeguard its strategic Karachi Naval Base and other key assets in the region, according to an official familiar with the development. The Indian Navy’s move, supported by its aircraft carriers INS Vikrant and INS Vikramaditya, underscores its growing maritime dominance and has heightened alertness along Pakistan’s coastline.
The Indian Navy’s MiG-29K, a carrier-based multirole fighter, has recently been integrated with the Rampage air-to-ground missile, a high-speed, long-range weapon developed by Israel. With a strike range of approximately 250 kilometers, the Rampage missile significantly enhances the MiG-29K’s ability to target strategic installations, including naval bases, radar stations, and coastal infrastructure, from a safe distance. The missile’s precision and high-speed low-drag design make it a potent tool for striking high-value targets, as demonstrated by its use by Israel against Iranian military installations.
According to reports, the MiG-29K jets were conducting patrols in the Arabian Sea, operating from India’s aircraft carriers positioned in international waters. The deployment placed the fighters within striking distance of Pakistan’s coastline, particularly the Karachi Naval Base, a critical hub for the Pakistan Navy’s operations and home to key warships and submarines. The official noted that the Rampage missiles’ range allowed the MiG-29Ks to potentially launch strikes from positions off the coast of Gujarat, well within Indian territorial waters or international airspace, without needing to cross into Pakistani airspace.
The presence of Indian MiG-29Ks armed with Rampage missiles reportedly alarmed Pakistani military planners, who view Karachi as a linchpin of their naval and economic security. In response, the PAF diverted F-16 Block 52 fighter jets armed with AIM-120C-5 Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missiles (AMRAAMs) to patrol the airspace over Karachi and its surrounding areas. The F-16s, based at PAF Base Faisal or Masroor near Karachi, were tasked with intercepting any potential Indian incursions and protecting the naval base, as well as other strategic assets along Pakistan’s coastline.
The AIM-120C-5 AMRAAM, with a range of approximately 100 kilometers, is a potent beyond-visual-range (BVR) air-to-air missile, designed to engage enemy aircraft at long distances. However, the F-16s lack dedicated anti-ship missiles like the AGM-84 Harpoon, limiting their effectiveness against naval targets such as India’s aircraft carriers or warships. This deployment highlights Pakistan’s reliance on its F-16 fleet for air defense, particularly in response to India’s increasingly sophisticated naval aviation capabilities.
The deployment of MiG-29Ks and F-16s comes amid heightened India-Pakistan tensions, exacerbated by recent events, including the deadly Pahalgam terrorist attack on April 22, 2025, which killed 26 civilians and was attributed to Pakistan-based militant groups. India’s subsequent military posturing, including the deployment of its aircraft carriers in the Arabian Sea, signals a robust power projection strategy aimed at deterring potential threats and asserting dominance in the region.
The Indian Navy’s MiG-29K fleet, operating from INS Vikrant and INS Vikramaditya, is tailored for maritime strike and air superiority missions. In addition to the Rampage missiles, the MiG-29Ks are equipped with Kh-35 anti-ship missiles, further enhancing their ability to target naval and coastal assets. The integration of the Rampage missile, inducted in January 2025, has significantly boosted the Navy’s firepower, allowing it to engage targets at ranges exceeding those of the Spice-2000 bombs used in the 2019 Balakot airstrike.
The face-off between Indian MiG-29Ks and Pakistani F-16s underscores the precarious balance of power in the Arabian Sea, where both nations maintain significant military assets. India’s investment in advanced weaponry, such as the Rampage missile, and its growing naval capabilities signal a shift toward greater self-reliance and regional influence. The deployment of aircraft carriers and MiG-29Ks demonstrates India’s ability to project force far from its shores, challenging Pakistan’s maritime security.
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