New Delhi [India], October 30 (ANI): India is set to further enhance its aerial combat capabilities with the planned acquisition of a substantial number of Meteor air-to-air missiles for the Indian Air Force’s (IAF) frontline Rafale fighter jet fleet.
The Rafale combat aircraft fleet is currently the only one in the IAF capable of deploying the European-made long-range Meteor missiles, which have a range of up to 200 kilometres.
Defence sources told ANI that a proposal worth around ₹1,500 crore for purchasing these Meteor beyond-visual-range (BVR) missiles, manufactured by European defence firm MBDA, is at an advanced stage in the Defence Ministry. The deal is expected to receive approval in a high-level meeting scheduled to be held soon.
The IAF had earlier acquired Meteor missiles along with the initial batch of 36 Rafale jets purchased from France in 2016. The Meteor system will also be integrated into the 26 naval Rafales that are expected to arrive over the next few years.
India successfully destroyed Pakistani military and terrorist targets during Operation Sindoor in May this year, compelling Pakistan to seek a ceasefire within four days. Indian fighter jets used long-range standoff weapons to strike enemy positions, while Pakistan attempted to retaliate using Chinese-origin air-to-air and surface-to-air weapons but failed to inflict any damage.
According to sources, the Pakistan Air Force launched multiple PL-15 air-to-air missiles at Indian aircraft but did not achieve any success. Pakistan has been procuring these missiles from China in significant numbers in recent years.
In response, India has embarked on a major program to equip all its air fleets with advanced BVR capabilities. The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) is developing approximately 700 Astra Mark 2 air-to-air missiles for this purpose.
The Astra Mark 2, designed to strike targets over 200 kilometres away, will be integrated into the Su-30 and Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) fleets. Meanwhile, the Rafale fleet will continue to be armed with Meteor missiles and may also receive an indigenous anti-radiation missile in the future. (ANI)
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