Indian Navy Bolsters MiG-29K Arsenal with Israeli-Made Rampage Missiles, Extending Precision Strike Range to 250 Kms

The Indian Navy has significantly enhanced the strike capabilities of its MiG-29K fighter aircraft by integrating the Israeli-made Rampage air-to-ground missile.

This advanced weapon system allows the MiG-29Ks to engage targets at a distance of up to 250 kilometers, a substantial increase compared to their previous armament.

The Rampage missile, successfully tested by the Navy this month, is renowned for its high speed, long range, and precision strike capabilities. It surpasses the range of the Spice-2000 missiles used by the Indian Air Force in the 2019 Balakot airstrike.

Developed by Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI), the Rampage, also known as the High-Speed Low Drag-Mark 2 missile, has been deployed by Israel in recent operations targeting Iranian military installations.

This integration marks a major advancement in the Indian Navy's offensive capabilities, providing a powerful deterrent and enhancing its ability to protect national interests. The Rampage missile's extended range enables the MiG-29Ks to engage high-value targets from a safe distance, minimizing the risk to pilots and aircraft.

The Rampage missile, derived from the EXTRA (Extended Range Artillery) rocket system, was designed as a cost-effective, high-precision weapon to neutralize fixed targets with minimal collateral damage.

Its supersonic speed and vertical descent trajectory make it particularly effective against well-protected installations such as command centers, radar sites, and infrastructure, even in urban environments.

The integration of the Rampage onto the MiG-29K, which operates from India's aircraft carriers INS Vikramaditya and INS Vikrant, underscores India's commitment to modernizing its naval air arm. This initiative not only boosts the Indian Navy's striking power but also strengthens the defence cooperation between India and Israel, long-standing partners in military technology.

While the MiG-29K fleet, in service since 2010, has faced challenges related to reliability and maintenance, the integration of the Rampage missile demonstrates a commitment to extending the operational life and enhancing the capabilities of these aircraft until they are replaced by newer models like the Rafale M.

This development aligns with India's broader strategy to bolster its military capabilities across all domains in response to regional security challenges. The integration of advanced weaponry, such as the Rampage missile, into existing platforms ensures that the Indian military remains at the forefront of technological advancements in warfare.

In addition to the Rampage missile integration, the Indian Navy recently conducted a successful test trial of an indigenously developed 'Air Droppable Container' with a 150 kg payload capacity on January 22, further demonstrating its commitment to innovation and self-reliance in defence technology.

 

[sanket]

The Rampage missile can find a place on the MiG-29, but not the Mirage-2000. Sadly, the Mirage-2000 is becoming outdated day by day. Missiles like the Rudram series, Astra series, and BrahMos-NG can be integrated on the MiG-29, but not the Mirage-2000. Neither can it have an AESA radar nor Meteor missile. This is the way to sell more Rafale.

 

[Enforcer]

IAF and IN are both focusing on wrong systems. Rampage is a great missile but its too costly. I would most certainly would love to have in the arsenal but we have not focused much on glide bombs, LGB and some version of air to ground missile like hellfire or spike. We need like 40k or 50k LGBs and glide bombs. And double that if we are gonna fight a 2 front war with china. I don't want couple airstrikes to boost Political points, I want a full on war to finish the fight with pakistan once and for all and take Kashmir completely.

Couple hundred Rampage won't last more than a week a real war.

 

[Sandeep]

It’s ok if we import a small amount of the missile but it’s really expensive. Until we complete researching and developing the Rudram variants of missile then we have no other option.

Our focus needs to be on 100% indigenously developing our own type of missiles with different technology, warhead, capabilities and features.

 

[DS]

Good thinking by IN as the Rampage missile has extended stand off range.

PLAN & Pakistani Navy will never be able to prosecute our MiG-29K’s at 250 kms range. PLAN aircraft carriers will be met at entrances to Malacca Straits/ Lombok Strait inside SCS .

Rampage missile will add to BRAHMOS NG missiles being developed at home for MIG-29K and NLCA fighters / Destroyers/ Frigates / Corvettes of IN.

 

[Oleg Olkha]

"The Royal Air Force is one of the European air forces evaluating the Ramapge supersonic air-to-surface missile for its Typhoon fighter jets... If the British choose the Israeli missile, the deal will include a very modern, new version. Experts from the Royal Air Force recently visited Israel to learn more about this state-of-the-art missile, which is already in use by the Israeli Air Force." It's interesting... IAI had a heavier and more expensive option – „Sky Sniper”. M- 800+ kg. W- 225 kg. V-3.5M R- 250 km.