New Delhi: India has taken a major step to modernise its military firepower with the approval of a $8.7 billion precision-strike weapon package from Israel, strengthening the Indian Air Force’s (IAF) standoff strike and deterrence capabilities amid evolving regional threats.
The Defence Acquisition Council (DAC), chaired by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, sanctioned the deal that will significantly enhance India’s precision attack range and high-accuracy weapon systems.
Importance of India-Israel Missile Deal
The $8.7 billion procurement from Israel marks one of India’s largest foreign arms acquisitions in recent years. It underscores the deepening strategic defence partnership between India and Israel — with Jerusalem becoming a key supplier of advanced weapon technologies to New Delhi.
The package is tailored to elevate India’s precision strike capabilities by giving its air force stand-off weapon systems capable of operating effectively in contested environments. These systems are intended to improve accuracy, reduce aircraft exposure to hostile defences, and enhance overall mission effectiveness.
Details of the India-Israel Missile Deal
Here are the key details of India-Israel missile deal;
1. SPICE-1000 Precision Guided Weapons
At the core of the deal are 1,000 SPICE-1000 kits — Israeli-developed precision guidance systems manufactured by Rafael Advanced Defense Systems. These kits convert traditional “dumb” bombs into long-range precision weapons capable of striking up to 100 km away with very high accuracy.
The SPICE system uses electro-optical and inertial guidance, enabling autonomous targeting without reliance on GPS alone. This reduces vulnerability to satellite jamming and enhances effectiveness against well-defended targets.
2. Rampage and Other Air-to-Surface Missiles
Reports indicate that the procurement may also include Rampage air-to-surface missiles produced by Elbit Systems, with operational ranges between 150 km to 250 km. These missiles further extend the reach of India’s strike platforms, enabling engagements from beyond enemy radar coverage.
Integrating Rampage on IAF aircraft such as Su-30MKIs and MiG-29s enhances India’s ability to suppress integrated air defence systems before they can pose a serious threat to launch aircraft.
3. Air-Launched Ballistic Systems
Another key capability expected in the package is the Air-LORA missile system — an air-launched ballistic missile with a possible 400 km range that allows penetration of deep enemy territory without exposing aircraft to frontline air defence fire.
These air-launched options give the IAF a flexible set of tools for long-range precision strike operations across diverse theatres of engagement.
Impact of India-Israel Missile Deal
This acquisition is part of India’s broader push to modernise its armed forces and adapt to the changing nature of modern aerial warfare, where precision, autonomy, and survivability play a decisive role. The integration of smart munitions reflects a shift from traditional platform-centric strategies to effect-based warfare — where the ability to strike accurately from a distance matters more than sheer numbers.
The focus on precision weapons also resonates with India’s geopolitical realities, especially along the northern and western borders with China and Pakistan, where both electronic and integrated air defence threats are growing.
Reinforcing India-Israel Defence Ties
Israel has been one of India’s most reliable defence partners, supplying advanced systems for decades. Between 2020 and 2024, India accounted for approximately 34 % of Israeli defence exports, signaling strong bilateral industrial cooperation in defence technology.
By deepening its defence collaboration with Israel, India aims to bridge technology gaps quickly, enhance deterrence capability, and buy time while its indigenous defence systems mature under the “Atmanirbhar Bharat” initiative.
