IAF plans for 100 combat missiles for Jaguar

Ajit K Dubey

Paris, Jun 15 (PTI) In a bid to add more firepower to its
fighter fleet, the Indian Air Force (IAF) is planning to
acquire over 100 close combat air-to-air missiles for the
Jaguar aircraft.

The Request for Proposal (RFP) for the acquisition of
over 100 of these close combat missiles has been sent to five
missile manufacturers including the Raytheon Corporation from
United States, Israeli Raphael and European missile consortium
MBDA.

"We have received the RFP from the Indian Defence
Ministry for close combat air to air missiles for the Jaguar
fighter aircraft. We are looking to understand the
requirements of the IAF and after that we will decide about
the missile that can be offered to them," Raytheon Vice
President Dennis J Carroll told PTI here.

We have not yet gone through the details of the Indian
requirements but we can offer our AIM-9X and AMRAAM for close
range combat requirements," Carroll said.

The Israelis are expected to offer the Derb-5 missile in
the contract.

With these missiles on-board the Jaguar, IAF wants to
improve the lethality of the fighter aircraft in close range
air-to-air combat with enemy aircraft. It has the role of
striking deep inside the enemy territory since they were
inducted in the IAF in early 80s.

The IAF is also in process of finalising its plans for
having a new engine for the Jaguar aircraft.

Two major global engine manufacturers are already in
race to provide their engines for the programme including the
American Honeywell and the British Rolls Royce.

India has around 100 Jaguars based at different locations
across the country including a maritime squadron to carry out
operations over sea. PTI AJD
DEP