Insta
IAF aircraft
Leveraging its status as a member of the Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR), India is very keen on arming its Mirage 2000 aircraft with the best-in-their-class long- range meteor missiles, claims reports.
After Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman chased the F-16s of Pakistan on his MiG 21 Bison, and shot one down with his R-73 and R-77 missiles, during the dogfight on 27 February soon after IAF attacked the Balakot terror camps, the necessity to equip more of our fighter jets with long-range missiles is being felt.
Even Prime Minister Narendra Modi promptly went on to say, “The whole nation is feeling the need to have Rafales at the moment. Had we possessed Rafales in our inventory, the result would have been different” at an event organised soon after the unfolding of hostilities between the two countries.
In a move to maintain absolute air superiority over its hostile western neighbour, the IAF is going to have a combination of BrahMos NG, Astra, Israeli Derby, Meteor and SCALP missiles among others on its front line combat aircraft. India is working hard with the makers of Meteor missiles to equip them to the indigenously developed Tejas LCAs to make them more lethal. The three squadrons of Mirage 2000s are now getting upgraded extensively.
The 36 Rafales India is buying as of now, will be equipped with the Meteors and SCALP missiles, thus envisaging an edge over its two hostile neighbours in the west and north. As China is not a member of MTCR, it does not have any missiles in its armory that can match the Meteors, at least as of now.
Support Swarajya's 50 Ground Reports Project & Sponsor A Story
Every general election Swarajya does a 50 ground reports project.
Aimed only at serious readers and those who appreciate the nuances of political undercurrents, the project provides a sense of India's electoral landscape. As you know, these reports are produced after considerable investment of travel, time and effort on the ground.
This time too we've kicked off the project in style and have covered over 30 constituencies already. If you're someone who appreciates such work and have enjoyed our coverage please consider sponsoring a ground report for just Rs 2999 to Rs 19,999 - it goes a long way in helping us produce more quality reportage.
You can also back this project by becoming a subscriber for as little as Rs 999 - so do click on this links and choose a plan that suits you and back us.
Click below to contribute.
Latest