In the context of a press conference held with local media, the Chief of the Indian Air Force (IAF), Air Marshal A.P. Singh, confirmed that its Su-30MKI fighters have been equipped with Israeli-made Rampage missiles, which saw action during Operation Sindoor, led by India against Pakistan. The statements from this high-ranking official were accompanied by a short, low-definition video showing an Indian fighter deploying the 570-kilogram missile during a precision strike, highlighting the Air Force’s progress in acquiring advanced weaponry and integrating it with existing platforms.
Expanding on the details, the footage released by the Indian Air Force lasts about 45 seconds and was recorded by helmet cameras worn by one of the pilots who took part in the strike mission. It shows two Su-30MKIs flying in formation over the Himalayas, with one of them launching the Rampage from a pylon mounted under one of its wings after the words “Fox Three – Rampage Away” are heard. Shortly afterward, the clip shows an enhanced trajectory with telemetry data as the missile precisely homes in on a simulated command and control bunker, followed by a series of secondary explosions upon impact.
Meanwhile, an Air Force official revealed that this was the “first operational use of the Rampage missile on the Su-30MKI, which validated our seamless weapons integration,” further emphasizing that this was made possible through software upgrades developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO). These updates enabled the weapon to function smoothly alongside the aircraft’s AL-31FP avionics suite. This achievement is significant, considering that the Israeli systems mentioned so far had only been used on attack and carrier-based aircraft—indicating a shift in the IAF’s internal tactics.
On this note, it is worth mentioning that the Rampage missile was previously part of the IAF’s weapons inventory for its Jaguar Darin-III strike aircraft as well as the MiG-29K carrier-based fighters operating from the aircraft carrier INS Vikramaditya. In the case of the Jaguars, the system allowed the aircraft to participate in deep-strike missions against enemy infrastructure—something demonstrated in exercises such as Tarang Shakti—while for the MiG-29Ks, it served in an anti-ship role. Although the missile’s size and weight made it well-suited for integration on both aircraft, installing it on the Su-30MKI required structural reinforcement and modifications to the fire control system.
It is also worth recalling that India acquired its first Rampage missiles between 2020 and 2021 directly from Israel, amid growing border tensions with China, and that these missiles have since become part of the IAF’s modernization plans. According to specialized media reports, New Delhi is interested in negotiating local production of the weapon, which would provide greater supply security and operational readiness for the Air Force. This initiative would align perfectly with the Made in India policy, aimed at expanding the country’s indigenous defense-industrial capacity—already demonstrated through domestic production of the BrahMos cruise missiles for IAF aircraft.
Images used for illustrative purposes.
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