India to get missiles from Israel
NEW DELHI, Dec. 13 (UPI) -- India will be getting 100-km long-range air-to-surface stand-off Crystal Maze missiles from Israel in January, The Indian Express newspaper said Tuesday.
Manufactured by Rafael, the Crystal Maze is similar to the Popeye all-weather bunker-busting missile that is launched from an aircraft to destroy command and control centers, enemy bunkers and even militant training camps from a distance of 80-100 kilometers.
"The acquisition of Crystal Maze missiles is extremely significant for Indian offensive capabilities," said a report.
The report said that for the first time, the Indian Air Force would have an air-to-surface missile that could be fired from an aircraft.
"The present Indo-Russian venture Brahmos is essentially an anti-ship cruise missile and it is very difficult for the bulky missile to be mounted on an aircraft," said an Indian Air Force official.
The IAF said the guided missile, which has an 80 kg warhead, is highly accurate with an error range of within three meters.
The official said this missile is not in use by Pakistan and China.
Another report said India is also looking to acquire Delilah II anti-radiation drones with missile-firing capability and Penetration-500 bombs that have the capability to take out runway radars and concrete bunkers.
"The long-range Delilah II, which is like the U.S. Predator, has the capability of hanging around the target and then hone at an appropriate time to destroy it," said the official.
India signed the Crystal Maze agreement with Israel two years ago, but the Indian Air Force gave the green light in December.
Manufactured by Rafael, the Crystal Maze is similar to the Popeye all-weather bunker-busting missile that is launched from an aircraft to destroy command and control centers, enemy bunkers and even militant training camps from a distance of 80-100 kilometers.
"The acquisition of Crystal Maze missiles is extremely significant for Indian offensive capabilities," said a report.
The report said that for the first time, the Indian Air Force would have an air-to-surface missile that could be fired from an aircraft.
"The present Indo-Russian venture Brahmos is essentially an anti-ship cruise missile and it is very difficult for the bulky missile to be mounted on an aircraft," said an Indian Air Force official.
The IAF said the guided missile, which has an 80 kg warhead, is highly accurate with an error range of within three meters.
The official said this missile is not in use by Pakistan and China.
Another report said India is also looking to acquire Delilah II anti-radiation drones with missile-firing capability and Penetration-500 bombs that have the capability to take out runway radars and concrete bunkers.
"The long-range Delilah II, which is like the U.S. Predator, has the capability of hanging around the target and then hone at an appropriate time to destroy it," said the official.
India signed the Crystal Maze agreement with Israel two years ago, but the Indian Air Force gave the green light in December.
posted by Marko at 12/13/2005 10:16:00 AM
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