Video Footage Of Future IAF Air Strikes To Be Recorded As Change In Missile-Firing Procedure Gets Planned

The Indian Air Force (IAF) is likely to change the firing procedures for the missile and bombs to enable the pilots to launch them during the Balakot-type of operations, reports The Print.

According to the report, during the IAF’s Balakot air strike, the pilots could not launch the Israeli air-to-surface missiles called the Crystal Maze due to the laid down protocols. The Crystal Maze missiles would have provided a live video feed of the bombs hitting the target.

There are different firing procedures depending on the mission and weather conditions, sources were cited in the report as saying.

IAF had planned to use the Crystal Maze along with the SPICE-2000s penetrating bombs during the Balakot strike. Six of the Mirage-2000s were carrying SPICE-2000s while another six were carrying the Crystal Maze. Even though both of them are penetrating weapons, the Crystal Maze, unlike the SPICE-2000s, also sends back a video of its path and the strike.

“No doubt that a video would have helped. But the message sent across to the Pakistani deep state was loud and clear. Even if they deny, they and we know what really happened and the extent of the damage the SPICE-2000 caused that night,” a source in the defence establishment said.

“Hence, missile and bomb firing procedures are being changed, which will enable the pilots to launch them in future Balakot-type operations or otherwise,” said another source.