IAF Set to Field Locally Produced Israeli "Crystal Maze 2" Missiles, Enhancing Precision Strike Capabilities in GPS-Denied Environments

The Indian Air Force (IAF) is set to significantly enhance its precision strike capabilities with the local production of the Israeli-developed "Crystal Maze 2" missile, also known as ROCKS.

This medium-range ballistic missile, already integrated into the IAF's Su-30MKI, MiG-29UPG, and Jaguar aircraft, represents a major advancement in India's air-to-surface strike capabilities.

The Crystal Maze 2 is designed for high-precision strikes against critical enemy infrastructure and assets. With a range exceeding 250 kilometers, it allows IAF aircraft to engage targets from a safe distance, minimizing their exposure to enemy defences.

Crucially, the missile is engineered to operate effectively in GPS-denied environments, a vital capability in modern warfare where adversaries may employ electronic warfare or anti-access/area denial (A2AD) strategies to disrupt satellite navigation systems.

Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL), a prominent Indian defence manufacturer, will undertake the production of the Crystal Maze 2 in India. Local production offers several advantages, including potential cost reductions, enhanced supply chain security, and the possibility of future modifications tailored to India's specific operational needs.

The ability to conduct precision strikes in GPS-denied environments is particularly crucial in today's battlefield. With adversaries increasingly utilizing electronic warfare to disrupt satellite navigation, the Crystal Maze 2 ensures that the IAF can maintain operational effectiveness even when facing sophisticated countermeasures. This capability significantly enhances India's deterrence posture and strengthens its ability to conduct offensive operations.

By producing the Crystal Maze 2 domestically, India is not only bolstering its defence capabilities but also taking a significant step towards self-reliance in critical defence technologies. This move will undoubtedly enhance the IAF's operational flexibility and strengthen its position in the region.

 

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[sanket]

why to pay Royalty / premium why cant Indigenously design develop own Missile in similar category

 

[beencensured]

IAF needs such weapons as of yesterday. It cannot wait for years to get these weapons manufactured indegeneously. Indegenous weapons can be developed and delivered at a later stage.
RUDRAM 3 is getting developed. It will take a minimum 5 to 6 years to fructify.

 

[Aayush Pratap]

Good news, Crystal Maze is deadly !!

 

[Rajesh]

why to pay Royalty / premium why cant Indigenously design develop own Missile in similar category

Also it is operating in GPS denied environment, which is harder to design and build.

 

[PKPRS]

why to pay Royalty / premium why cant Indigenously design develop own Missile in similar category

why pay royalty for Meteor, SCALP, MICA also. why not develop locally.

 

[obiwankenubi jedi]

Great news! Hope this prevents challenges with the lack of the right weapons for the right mission for the IAF.

We need force multipliers, especially in the current scenario. We need a lot of AWACS, refuelers, SIGINT, and smart/advanced weapons, air defence radars and weapons, missiles, drones, UAVs, and above all, the right jets and the correct radars and weapons on them with SDRs, manned and drone pairing, autonomous swarm drones, smart bombs, hypersonic missiles, and a lot of out-of-the-box thinking.

All weapons used by the armed forces should be designed, manufactured, or at least assembled in India from now on to ensure national security. No more outright, off-the-shelf purchases like the last 75 years. We need to build research, engineering, and manufacturing capability and capacity in the next 25 years and beyond.

 

[INDIAN]

China is flying 6-gen fighters and here we are flying cold era relics..

 

[abhinav srivastava]

why pay royalty for Meteor, SCALP, MICA also. why not develop locally.

Meteor won't be needed once we have Astra mk3

 

[Leo red]

Israel has best in class weapons and tested in war time too. We must enjoy all benefits available from Israel. Atleast they are lower in cost then US. And reliable too. Also think of their air defence systems.

 

[Sandeep]

While India is still developing its own indigenous network of missiles with Astra and Rudram we are succeeding and making progress. Until our missiles are ready we have to rely on foreign missiles but at least manufacturing the missiles indigenously reduces the cost and transfers some technology and know how to our industry.

 

[Varaaah]

It is not clear whether it will be full manufacturing, half manufacturing or assembly.

 

[Sandeep]

It is not clear whether it will be full manufacturing, half manufacturing or assembly.

It definitely won’t be full manufacturing as Israel wants to keep the IPR over it. We will be manufacturing some of it but not assembling it as it offers us no advantage.

 

[beencensured]

Good news, Crystal Maze is deadly !!

Why when we have Rudram why to waste resources on duplicate goods. India does not need ten of same type missile from different countries. It is absolute shameful.

 

[Aayush Pratap]

Why when we have Rudram why to waste resources on duplicate goods. India does not need ten of same type missile from different countries. It is absolute shameful.

The patriotic bluster aside, Crystal Maze is a combat tested weapon whereas Rudram is not. Besides, they're both gonna be manufactured here so what is your problem?