The Indian Air Force (IAF) is advancing its plans to acquire the Spice-250 Extended Range (ER) precision-guided bombs, a move designed to significantly bolster its deep-strike capabilities.
This strategic acquisition will provide IAF fighter jets with a stand-off weapon capable of hitting targets over 300 kilometres away, ensuring pilots can launch attacks from well within Indian airspace and safely beyond the reach of Pakistan's most advanced long-range air-to-air missiles.
The primary motivation for this procurement is to counter the growing threat posed by the Pakistan Air Force's (PAF) modern missile systems.
The PAF has integrated the Chinese-made PL-15 beyond-visual-range air-to-air missile (BVRAAM) onto its fleet of J-10C and JF-17 fighter jets. The export variant of this missile, the PL-15E, has a declared range of 145 km.
This weapon, along with the emerging PL-17, forms a critical part of Pakistan's air defence strategy, creating a formidable challenge for aircraft operating near the border.
Developed by Israel’s Rafael Advanced Defence Systems, the Spice-250 ER is a highly sophisticated air-to-surface weapon. Unlike a standard glide bomb, the ER version is equipped with a micro-turbojet engine, which extends its range dramatically.
It employs an advanced guidance system that combines GPS and Inertial Navigation with an electro-optical seeker. This seeker uses artificial intelligence and scene-matching technology to identify targets, making the weapon highly accurate and resistant to GPS jamming.
This technology is an evolution of the Spice family of bombs, which the IAF has successfully used in the past, most notably during the 2019 Balakot airstrike.
The acquisition of the Spice-250 ER represents a major tactical advantage for India. With a range exceeding 300 kilometres, the weapon allows the IAF's frontline aircraft, such as the Su-30 MKI and Rafale, to destroy high-value enemy assets like command centres, airbases, and critical military infrastructure without being exposed to retaliatory fire.
By outranging the PAF's air-to-air missile shield, the IAF can effectively neutralize threats and maintain air dominance in potential future conflicts, fundamentally shifting the dynamics of aerial engagement in the region.
This planned purchase is a key component of India's ongoing military modernization efforts, aimed at maintaining a technological edge over its adversaries.
While this deal focuses on foreign procurement, it complements the nation's push for self-reliance under the Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiative, which includes the development of indigenous stand-off weapons like the Smart Anti-Airfield Weapon (SAAW).
Together, these systems enhance the nation's layered defence posture and its ability to project power from a safe distance. Official confirmation of the order is awaited.
