What happened?
On August 22, 2025, the Indian Air Force (IAF) announced preparations to place significant orders for Israeli-made Rampage air-to-ground missiles, following their successful combat use against terrorist headquarters in Pakistan. Known in India as the High-Speed Low Drag-Mark 2 missile, Rampage has already been integrated with the Su-30 MKI, Jaguar, and MiG-29 fleets. The IAF plans to equip all these aircraft with the missiles while also exploring integration with other platforms. The IAF is also considering local production under the Make in India initiative, which could expand its deployment. In parallel, India tested the Israeli ROCKS (Crystal Maze-2) missile in 2024 at the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
Why it matters to India
The Rampage acquisition represents a major step in strengthening India’s long-range precision strike capability against cross-border terror infrastructure and hostile military assets. Its proven performance in deep penetration strikes during Operation Sindoor reinforces the credibility of India’s deterrence posture. At the same time, DRDO’s ULPGM V3 trials highlight parallel progress in indigenous defence technology under Aatmanirbhar Bharat. Together, the twin missile programs signal India’s dual-track approach: leveraging proven defence systems for immediate needs while building a robust domestic defence ecosystem for long-term strategic autonomy.