The Indian Air Force is considering purchasing the Israeli long-range Air LORA missile for its Su-30MKI 4+ generation multirole fighters. This was reported by the Eurasian Times.
Developed by Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI), the Air LORA missile is capable of hitting targets at a distance of up to 430 kilometers. This will allow Indian aircraft to strike far beyond the reach of most enemy air defense systems.
Air LORA is not just a missile placed under the wing of an aircraft. It is a synthesis of ballistic missile technology and high-precision air-launched weapons.
Air LORA missile specifications:
- Speed - supersonic, about Mach 5.
- Accuracy - circular error probable (CEP) less than 10 meters.
- Warhead - high-explosive fragmentation or penetrating weighing up to 570 kg
- Total missile weight - 1600 kg
- Missile length - 5.2 m
The missile is compatible with several Indian Air Force aerial platforms, including the Su-30MKI. The fighter can carry up to 4 AIR LORAs to deliver devastating strikes on multiple targets.
In 2023, IAI and Bharat Electronics Limited signed a memorandum of understanding for the joint production and technology transfer of Air LORA. If the deal goes through, the missile will be produced in India.
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