Following Rampage Missile Success in Op Sindoor, IAF Now Eyes 400-km Range LORA Missile for Deep-Strike Dominance

Following the effective use of the Rampage missile in a recent cross-border operation, the Indian Air Force (IAF) is reportedly exploring the acquisition of an even more powerful long-range weapon.

According to defence sources, the IAF is considering the Air LORA, an Israeli-developed missile with a 400-kilometre range, to enhance its capability to strike targets deep inside enemy territory while minimising risk to its aircraft.

This move comes after the successful operational debut of the 250-km range Rampage air-launched cruise missile during "Operation Sindoor" in May 2025. In that engagement, IAF Jaguar aircraft successfully struck Pakistan Air Force Base Sukkur.

While the locally manufactured Rampage proved effective, its use highlighted a key vulnerability: launch aircraft must fly relatively close to heavily defended airspace, exposing them to advanced surface-to-air missile systems like Pakistan's Chinese-origin HQ-9 and LY-80.

The Air LORA, with its superior range, would allow IAF jets such as the Su-30 MKI to launch attacks from well within the safety of Indian airspace.

Developed by the MALAM division of Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI), the Air LORA is a formidable air-launched ballistic missile (ALBM). It is specifically designed to destroy high-value, fortified targets such as underground command centres, air defence units, and critical military infrastructure.

The missile, weighing around 1,600 kg, travels at supersonic speeds and is guided by an advanced navigation system resistant to electronic jamming, ensuring high precision.

Its "fire-and-forget" capability, combined with options for either a blast-fragmentation or a deep-penetration warhead, makes it a versatile weapon for various strategic missions.

A single Su-30 MKI fighter can be armed with up to four Air LORA missiles, representing a significant concentration of firepower.

The potential procurement is strengthened by an existing industrial partnership aligned with India's "Make in India" policy.

During the Aero India exhibition in 2023, IAI signed a MoU with the state-owned Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL). This agreement positions BEL as the primary contractor for manufacturing the LORA weapon system in India for the army, navy, and air force, with IAI providing the necessary technology.

While ground- and sea-launched versions of the LORA are already being inducted by the Indian Navy, its integration into the IAF would represent a major leap in aerial stand-off capability.

The strategic advantage of the Air LORA lies in its ability to overcome the limitations of current systems.

Its 400-km range and an accuracy of within 10 meters (Circular Error Probable) would enable the IAF to threaten key strategic locations from a safe distance, a critical factor given the increasingly sophisticated air defence networks of potential adversaries.

Lessons from recent conflicts, including the 2019 Balakot airstrike, have underscored the need for long-range precision weapons that ensure mission success without endangering pilots.

The IAF’s interest in the Air LORA is part of a broader strategy to build a multi-layered, long-range strike arsenal. The missile would complement the existing BrahMos supersonic cruise missile (with a range of over 400 km) and the Rampage missile, providing commanders with a flexible range of options.

Discussions are reportedly also underway to assess the feasibility of integrating the Air LORA with other frontline aircraft in the IAF's fleet, including the Rafale and the indigenous Tejas Mk-1A jets.

 

[Mc Addy]

Its the correct approach, so jets can do deep strike , out of harms way. The era of colonial style air war is long over but in our military,its still a way of life. Warfare technology is way ahead, so colonial style war strategy needs to be abandoned totally.

 

[Leo red]

Don't wait. Start immediately procuring. Su-30 is the best choice. It looks like Rafale is of no use here. Better to have more Su-30 manufactured to compensate for stealth fighters in the near future. We need AMCA urgently, or a heavy-lifting fighter-bomber like the Su-57.

 

[sanket]

Nice, but again, as I have been saying for a thousand times, it can be integrated into Russian/Indigenous platforms, but can it be integrated on Rafale? Su-30 MKI can carry 4, what about Rafale which has 9-ton payload carry capability?

Nice to know Su-30 MKI and MIG-29 were used to strike with Rampage Missiles which destroyed a UAV hangar. This is what happens when the right weapon is used to destroy an enemy target. This is what I have highlighted for long: French platforms haven't integrated these weapons which are cost-effective. The reason is it's third party.

Another cost-effective but high-impact weapon is SPICE-ER, which has double the range of HAMMER. But again, business fundamentals from Dassault, even after being paid for India-specific enhancements for Rafale, they kept pending and instead pushed for HAMMER integration which has only 70 km range while SPICE-ER has 150 km.

The Rafale platform is having limitations in carrying a variety of platforms in today's modern warfare. It lacks NASM-MR, anti-radiation missile, Rampage-like missile, LORA Missile, SPICE-ER Range, Brahmos-NG, etc. Rafale is missing all these types of weapons in its package.

A week ago, I mentioned MIG-29, and from 2019, I was saying buying old MIG-29 would have been handy. This is an example; it can carry a variety of weapons that Rafale won't, which are very handy to strike enemy assets. MIG-29 is "chota pack bada Dhamaka." MIG-29 proved its mettle by firing a Rampage missile to destroy a UAV hangar.

 

[Hawkeye]

Nice, but again, as I have been saying for a thousand times, it can be integrated into Russian/Indigenous platforms, but can it be integrated on Rafale? Su-30 MKI can carry 4, what about Rafale which has 9-ton payload carry capability?

No, it won't be; that is the main problem. Without access to the source code, we can't do much, or we will be paying France a fortune to integrate a new missile every few years.

 

[Sukhwir]

No, it won't be; that is the main problem. Without access to the source code, we can't do much, or we will be paying France a fortune to integrate a new missile every few years.

It's a shame that we are still buying foreign missiles, LORA, Wind Daemon, and Ice Breaker. SU-30 and MIG-29 will be a beast.

 

[SURESH RAO]

I told you 100 times that BrahMos and Rampage were our main strike weapons in the recent war. I also know that the Pakistanis went near the border to fire the Hammer Missile. First, it fired Meteor and then fired Hammer. And then what happened?

 

[Sandeep]

This deal does give us a strategic advantage as it has a 400km range, we receive some of the technology and we get to manufacture some of it indigenously. How much technology and what type of technology we receive is unclear and what parts or components can we manufacture indigenously is also unclear.

We should only use this missile temporarily until we develop our own indigenous equivalent. We need to 100% indigenously design, develop and manufacture a similar and equivalent missile. We are currently developing the Rudram MK1-3 series of air to surface targets with a range up to 300km.

We are also developing our 100% indigenous air launched cruise missile which will give us a range of about 1500km. This will be a real game changer and it’s range will allow us to strike targets deep into enemy territory.

 

[sanket]

No, it won't be; that is the main problem. Without access to the source code, we can't do much, or we will be paying France a fortune to integrate a new missile every few years.

Dassault has been paid a hefty amount for the Rafale, but Dassault is pushing its own HAMMER Munition instead of what it was paid for.

Second, Dassault does not have enough variety in its weapon package; only a few attractions: first is Meteor, second SCALP-EG, and SPECTRA E/W. Other than this, it lacks a competitive weapon package. The Anti-Radiation/Anti-ship Exocet is short-range with outdated tech. Even the Mirage upgrade has not made any major impact.

Just compare the MIG-29 upgrade with its Indigenous Mission computer, Uttam AESA Radar, Astra series, Rudram series, Rampage ICE BREAKER, SPICE bomb, and in the future, Brahmos-NG, SAAW, etc. The MIG-29 already proved its mettle; after the upgrade, it will transform into a very potent fighter jet with agility in the sky. Where does the Mirage stand? Not even a PESA Radar, neither BVR over 80 km.

The Rafale lacks an expanded weapon package; the major attraction is Meteor & SCALP, that's it. The Su-30 MKI & MIG-29 are open architecture platforms.

 

[Shawnone India]

Nice, but again, as I have been saying for a thousand times, it can be integrated into Russian/Indigenous platforms, but can it be integrated on Rafale? Su-30 MKI can carry 4, what about Rafale which has 9-ton payload carry capability?

Nice to know Su-30 MKI and MIG-29 were used to strike with Rampage Missiles which destroyed a UAV hangar. This is what happens when the right weapon is used to destroy an enemy target. This is what I have highlighted for long: French platforms haven't integrated these weapons which are cost-effective. The reason is it's third party.

Another cost-effective but high-impact weapon is SPICE-ER, which has double the range of HAMMER. But again, business fundamentals from Dassault, even after being paid for India-specific enhancements for Rafale, they kept pending and instead pushed for HAMMER integration which has only 70 km range while SPICE-ER has 150 km.

The Rafale platform is having limitations in carrying a variety of platforms in today's modern warfare. It lacks NASM-MR, anti-radiation missile, Rampage-like missile, LORA Missile, SPICE-ER Range, Brahmos-NG, etc. Rafale is missing all these types of weapons in its package.

A week ago, I mentioned MIG-29, and from 2019, I was saying buying old MIG-29 would have been handy. This is an example; it can carry a variety of weapons that Rafale won't, which are very handy to strike enemy assets. MIG-29 is "chota pack bada Dhamaka." MIG-29 proved its mettle by firing a Rampage missile to destroy a UAV hangar.

This is the area where Russian jets deliver full return on investment. Just imagine how much we've upgraded the MiG-21 over the years. On the other hand, despite heavy spending on Mirage upgrades, it has essentially been reduced to a ground-attack jet due to the lack of long-range BVR missiles. The same situation may arise with the Rafale unless we invest in very expensive missiles and continuous upgrades.

 

[Shawnone India]

It's a shame that we are still buying foreign missiles, LORA, Wind Daemon, and Ice Breaker. SU-30 and MIG-29 will be a beast.

Bro, this is not something to be ashamed of. We just need to maintain the right balance—indigenous development is important, but licensed production also has its place. Just imagine, if we had access to the R-37 BVR missile on the Sukhoi, Pakistani AWACS would have been forced to stay grounded.

 

[sanket]

This is the area where Russian jets deliver full return on investment. Just imagine how much we've upgraded the MiG-21 over the years. On the other hand, despite heavy spending on Mirage upgrades, it has essentially been reduced to a ground-attack jet due to the lack of long-range BVR missiles. The same situation may arise with the Rafale unless we invest in very expensive missiles and continuous upgrades.

Irony is, even after paying ₹58,000 crore odd for Rafale, it can't neutralise air defence systems because it lacks out-ranging Anti-Radiation Missiles that can neutralise air defence systems from without crossing the border; neither has it fired any Meteor Missile. MiG-29 with the Rudram series can make a path by neutralising air defence systems/SAM for cross-border strike.

Secondly, neither Rafale nor Mirage-2000, even after upgrades, have stand-off precision-guided bombs that can be fired without crossing the border. For firing HAMMER, both Rafale as well as Mirage-2000 need to cross the border because of their short range, while SPICE-ER, which has double the range, can be fired without crossing the border.

French should stop milking the money and integrating their own weapons. First, HAMMER will make the fighter jet cross the border, which will put the ₹1,600 crore fighter jet at risk, plus human life too.

 

[Vishwanath Vijay Thomre]

I have been keen follower of India Defense and its projects, updates, advancements not only on this platform but on other platforms too. What ever I have read till now one very significant point that come to mind is somehow Indian Airforce has been left far behind to Navy, Army. Lot of progress have been made in revamping Navy and Army. These two fronts are self reliant in indigenous India made equipment's. When it comes to Airforce all the procurements are seen under discussions stage or struck with hurdles. As read LORA is operational with Army and Navy but in discussion stage for Airforce. Question remains, is it the adamant nature of Airforce which is said to be very choosy when comes to procurement or not paid attention to revamp by GOI, MoD and IAF themself. Few points and vulnerable observations for IAF.

1. Very depleted squadron strength with old aircrafts of around 30 which should be minimum 60 to 70 with current global situation right now. Reason Negligence
2. We are a fast developing nation, AMCA is still in proposal stage on paper. Should have had at least one 5th gen if not two fighters. Reason Negligence
3. All the subjects pertaining to fast procurements like 5th gen fighter as stop gap, 4.5 gen fighters to increasing the squadron strengths, jet engines procurements or own/ codevelopment in jeopardy, advanced radar systems not known when under discussion. Reason Negligence
4. Why Rafael M when no ownership rights and stabbed for not allowing our own radar and munitions system at toss. Reason Negligence. too much West dependance and undue reliance for very high cost
5. We should move away from West focus for defense alliance as EU planning to revamp their defense this will not allow EU nations to supply to other than NATO nations as freely as previously due to their policy of NATO first. Reason to rethink our India defense policy again
6. Tejas in jeopardy, Reason Negligence allying with nonreliable partner US. Only one HAL who is making fighter jets. Time to think minimum two private players to manufacture fighter jets like L&T, Godrej aerospace, Tata or anyone else. Stop too much reliance on HAL. If L&T, Bharat Forge and other private sectors can manufacture for Navy and Army then why not for Airforce.

These are few points that struck to mind and there are lot many in limbo.

As a honest, regular and important tax payer of India, my request to GOI, MoD is kindly look to revamp, strengthen and turn around 360 uplift of our Airforce. Our neighbor China is aggressively bolstering his Airforce. There are two idiots pakistan and bangladesh the very able proxy of China which will create trouble with help of China.

Time to rethink out of the box.

 

[Hawkeye]

Dassault has been paid a hefty amount for the Rafale, but Dassault is pushing its own HAMMER Munition instead of what it was paid for.

Second, Dassault does not have enough variety in its weapon package; only a few attractions: first is Meteor, second SCALP-EG, and SPECTRA E/W. Other than this, it lacks a competitive weapon package. The Anti-Radiation/Anti-ship Exocet is short-range with outdated tech. Even the Mirage upgrade has not made any major impact.

Just compare the MIG-29 upgrade with its Indigenous Mission computer, Uttam AESA Radar, Astra series, Rudram series, Rampage ICE BREAKER, SPICE bomb, and in the future, Brahmos-NG, SAAW, etc. The MIG-29 already proved its mettle; after the upgrade, it will transform into a very potent fighter jet with agility in the sky. Where does the Mirage stand? Not even a PESA Radar, neither BVR over 80 km.

The Rafale lacks an expanded weapon package; the major attraction is Meteor & SCALP, that's it. The Su-30 MKI & MIG-29 are open architecture platforms.

They are also going to add another Israeli missile named Wind Deamon to both SU-30 and MiG-29. By now, GOI, MOD, and IAF would have understood the future needs; they won’t waste money on handicapped Rafale anymore. Anybody who allows full access to source code and permission to swap radars and other components will only be selected for MRFA, if there is going to be one in the future.

 

[OlegO]

LORA: 430 km. range max... Air LORA: 500 km. range min... (plus 15 - 20%) under certain conditions a launch. Regards...