The Indian Air Force (IAF) has urged the country’s premier defense research body to accelerate the development of long-range missiles in response to Pakistan’s growing arsenal.
In Operation Sindoor last June, IAF jets struck targets more than 200 kilometers inside Pakistan using a mix of indigenous BrahMos, French SCALP, and Israeli Rampage and Crystal Maze missiles during a four-day campaign.
Three months later, the IAF requested the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) to fast-track new air-to-air, air-to-ground, and surface-to-air missiles capable of reaching beyond 200 kilometers.
At the top of the IAF’s priorities is an extended-range version of the Astra air-to-air missile. The Astra Mark-1, with a 110 km range, has been in service since 2019, while the Mark-2, capable of 160 km, remains under testing. Officials confirmed the IAF is also evaluating the Russian R-37 missile, which exceeds 200 km in range.
The service further pressed DRDO to speed up Project Kusha, a long-range air and missile defense system, while also weighing the purchase of two additional S-400 squadrons from Russia.
The demand follows reports that the IAF may have lost multiple aircraft during clashes with Pakistan after underestimating the range of the Chinese PL-15 missile, initially believed to strike at 150 km but later confirmed to exceed 200 km.
