Indian combat aircraft to get ASRAAM missile

Indian Air Force Jaguar combat aircraft.

The Indian Air Force (IAF) is looking to make its combat aircraft fleet more lethal with the introduction of a new European air-to-air visual missile.

The Advanced Short Range Air-to-Air Missile (ASRAAM) missile manufactured by MBDA was approved to be integrated into Jaguar jets and the IAF is proceeding to integrate the weapon also on Su-30MKIs and indigenous Light Combat Aircraft (LCA), according to defense sources.

"The ASRAAM has been chosen for the Jaguar and is currently undergoing integration. First firing is expected by year-end," a defence source said.

The missile was selected through a tender that was awarded the MBDA. The European company is working with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) to make the ASRAAM fit for Jaguars and other IAF aircraft. "HAL is negotiating with MDBA for the integration of the missile on LCA and Su-30MKI," the source added.

ASRAAM is widely used as a Within Visual Range (WVR) air dominance missile with a range of over 25 km.

Source: thehindu.com
Images: Liam McBride (first), MBDA (second)