India To Boost Aerial Power Amid Border Row With China; Orders Deadly HAMMER Missiles For Rafale Jets

Giving a major breather to India, the French authorities have even agreed to supply HAMMER missile to India for Rafale combat aircraft which is expected to arrive in India by the end of July.

(Representative Image of Rafale Jet/ AFP)

New Delhi: Amid the simmering border tensions between the two nuclear-powered Asian neighbours, India is keen on strengthening its aerial power in the Ladakh front. For the same, the Indian Air Force has reportedly decided to further upgrade the arriving first batch of five Rafale fighter jets with the deadly HAMMER missiles.  Designed and manufactured by Sagem (Safran group), Highly Agile Modular Munition Extended Range - known as the HAMMER missile - is a medium-range air-to-ground weapon which has the capability to take out any bunkers or hardened shelters at the range of around 60-70 kms in any type of terrain including the mountainous locations such as Eastern Ladakh. As quoted by news agency ANI, government sources aware of the development told the India Air Force has placed an urgent requirement for these systems before the French authorities. Giving a major breather to India, the French authorities have even agreed to supply the systems to India from the existing stock meant for some other customer. The order for the HAMMER standoff missiles for Rafale combat aircraft is being processed under the emergency powers for acquisition given to the armed forces by the Narendra Modi government, sources added. The experts hold the belief that the arriving HAMMER missiles for Rafale combat aircraft would give India an edge over both Pakistan and China in terms of air strike capability, as both China and Pakistan can not match with air to air and the air to ground strike capabilities of the Rafale which India is going to possess very soon with the arrival of jets by the end of this month. Indian Air Force (IAF) is all set to welcome the first batch five Rafale fighter aircraft in India by the end of July. The fighter jets which are being imported from France will be inducted at Air Force Station Ambala on 29 July subject to weather.