New Delhi – The Indian Air Force (IAF) is reportedly considering the acquisition of the Israeli AIR LORA missile, an advanced air-launched ballistic missile developed by Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI). This strategic move is aimed at enhancing India’s missile upgrade program and deep-strike precision capabilities.
The proposal comes in the aftermath of Operation “Sindoor”, during which India utilized Rampage missiles to target 11 Pakistani airbases. While the Rampage missile has an approximate range of 250 km, the AIR LORA missile boasts a longer reach of 400 kilometers, enabling the Indian Air Force to strike enemy targets without breaching airspace, thus reducing exposure to enemy air defenses.
The AIR LORA is a supersonic, fire-and-forget missile designed for rapid response and high-precision strikes. With a Circular Error Probable (CEP) of less than 10 meters, it ranks among the most accurate long-range missiles available to modern air forces.
A standout feature of this Israeli missile system is its ability to retarget mid-flight, allowing real-time adjustments in fast-changing battlefield conditions. It is equipped with GPS/INS navigation and anti-jamming technology, ensuring reliability even during electronic warfare. The missile is also operational in all weather conditions and can be armed with a variety of warhead types such as blast fragmentation, general-purpose, and deep penetration warheads.
The IAF is assessing the missile’s compatibility with frontline aircraft like the Su-30MKI, enhancing the potential for seamless integration with both Western and Eastern-origin platforms. This makes the AIR LORA missile a versatile tool in India’s evolving defense doctrine.
Designed by Israel Aerospace Industries, the AIR LORA missile was originally developed to destroy high-value strategic targets such as enemy airbases and naval assets. Now, India is eyeing this potent missile as part of its broader plan to modernize its air-launched weapons systems.
