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The Indian Air Force (IAF) is significantly upgrading its fleet of Jaguar Darin-III fighter jets with new missiles and advanced targeting technology. A recently issued tender seeks to integrate the 'Next-Generation Close Combat Missile' (NGCCM) to boost the Jaguars' close-range combat abilities.
The NGCCM is an Indian-produced version of the powerful MBDA ASRAAM air-to-air missile. While earlier reports suggested the integration of this missile was complete, the new tender indicates that either live-fire tests are yet to be done or previous tests involved only mounting the missiles without firing.
Alongside the new missiles, the upgrades will also include Helmet-Mounted Display Systems (HMDS) for pilots. These systems project vital flight and targeting data directly onto the pilot's helmet visor, greatly improving their awareness of the combat situation.
The IAF has chosen to equip its Jaguar Strike aircraft with the NGCCM, replacing the older Matra R550 Magic missiles. The ASRAAM boasts an advanced infrared homing system, allowing it to lock onto enemy aircraft at close range. Weighing 88 kg, the missile has an impressive range exceeding 25 km.