IAF to Integrate ASRAAM Missile across its Fighter Fleet

The Indian Air Force (IAF) has approved fitting of Advanced Short Range Air-to-Air Missile (ASRAAM) on Jaguar jets and was looking to integrating it on the Su-30MKIs and the indigenous Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) as well.

Advanced Short Range Air-to-Air Missile

• It is the next generation infrared-guided missile designed and built by the UK Company MBDA.
• It aims to provide enhanced aerial combat capabilities for fighter aircraft.
• The ASRAAM missiles can be employed to engage targets within visual range (WVR) combat operations with a range of over 25km.
• The missile gathers target positional data from aircraft sensors including radar or helmet-mounted sight during close-in combat missions when the target is located outside the off-boresight and visual limits of the seeker. This ensures the aircraft’s crew to perform over-the-shoulder firing in ‘lock after launch’ mode.

Russian Concerns

Russia has expressed concerns over moves to integrate British Advanced Short Range Air-to-Air Missile (ASRAAM) to Russian-origin Sukhoi Su-30 MKI fighter jets.

Russia is concerned over the security of the technology since a foreign manufacturer invited to integrate anything on its equipment.