India Expanding Arsenal of Israeli Rampage Missiles for Enhanced Defense Preparedness
The Indian Air Force (IAF) is poised to significantly increase its arsenal of Rampage air-to-ground missiles from Israel, following their proven effectiveness in precision attacks on Pakistani air bases and terrorist centers.
The missile, referred to as the High-Speed Low Drag Mark-2 within the IAF, is already equipped on key fighter jets such as the Su-30MKI, Jaguar, and MiG-29. Defense insiders have disclosed that substantial orders for these missiles are being expedited, with contract agreements anticipated to be concluded shortly.
The Rampage demonstrated remarkable precision when deployed against terrorist locations in Muridke and Bahawalpur in Pakistan's Punjab region. It also played a pivotal role in Operation Sindoor, where Su-30MKIs utilized a large number of these missiles to strike deep into Pakistani-held territory.
Inducted initially during the 2020–21 period after the Galwan Valley clashes with China, the missile has since established itself as a dependable high-speed precision strike tool. Its integration with the Su-30MKI has not only boosted the aircraft's firepower but has also facilitated its use alongside other long-range strike systems like the BrahMos supersonic cruise missile.
Additional information from sources suggests that the IAF is considering manufacturing the Rampage domestically as part of the Make in India initiative, which could lead to widespread adoption and long-term independence in precision strike weaponry.
In conjunction, the IAF conducted tests of the ROCKS (Crystal Maze-2) missile last year at the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, highlighting its ongoing commitment to enhancing long-range precision strike capabilities.
