Indian armed forces have adopted Rampage air-launched ballistic missile of Israeli manufacture. The conclusion comes from photos published by Naval News author Adithya Krishna Menon on his X profile the other day. Initially, the missile was supposed to arm the Indian Su-30MKI fighters of the country's Air Force.
However, this photo was taken at the Naval Flying Test Squadron base, the INS Hansa. According to the Military Balance 2023, the only fighter aircraft operated by the Indian Navy is the MiG-29, we can also see one in the background.
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The first time India's intention to buy Rampage missiles was publicly voiced out in December 2022. This photo, dated August 30th during a UAE military delegation visit, confirms that supplies have already started.
Rampage is basically a reforged 306mm EXTRA ballistic missile for the PULS artillery rocket system of Israeli making. The adaptation turned it into an air-launched weapon, the development was carried out jointly by Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) and Elbit Systems.
The declared specifications are:
- hull length – 4.7 meters (15.4 feet);
- launch weight – 570 kg;
- warhead weight – 150 kg, type: high-explosive fragmentation;
- guidance – combined inertial and satellite, jamming-resistant;
- range – officially not disclosed, depends on the speed of the carrier at the moment of launch, 160 to 300 km in different sources.
In the Israeli military, this missile can be deployed by F-16, and F-15, the manufacturer also announced this weapon would be suitable for F-35, F/A-18E/F Super Hornet, the Eurofighter Typhoon, and Kfir.
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