IAF Considers Israeli Air LORA Missile for Precision Strikes
The Indian Air Force is evaluating the acquisition of Israel Aerospace Industries’ advanced Air‑LORA ballistic missile to significantly enhance its long-range strike capabilities. The Air‑LORA, an air‑launched variant of the LORA missile, offers a range of up to 400 km with precision guidance, enabling deep‑strike potential against heavily defended targets without exposing aircraft to hostile airspace.
Interest in the Air‑LORA system has surged following Operation Sindoor, where the IAF successfully deployed Rampage cruise missiles against Pakistani airbases. Drawing on that success, officials see the Air‑LORA as a complementary weapon that offers stand‑off flexibility, higher speed (supersonic), and steep terminal dive trajectories to evade enemy air defences.
The IAF could integrate the missile with frontline platforms like the Su‑30MKI. Bharat Electronics Ltd (BEL) has already signed a memorandum of understanding with IAI in 2023 to allow domestic production and integration, aligning with India’s “Make‑in‑India” defence strategy.
Key features include advanced INS/GPS navigation, anti‑jamming capabilities, high accuracy (less than 10 m CEP), and choice of warheads (blast-fragmentation or deep-penetration). The missile’s fire-and-forget design allows mid-flight target updates, enabling dynamic mission execution.
The acquisition is currently under consideration and no formal procurement has been announced. Analysts note that Air‑LORA would significantly boost IAF’s deep-strike doctrine and strengthen deterrence against threats along both western and northern fronts. Its range complements other strike systems such as Rampage, BrahMos‑A, and Pralay.
As global tensions rise and adversaries enhance their air defence systems, the IAF’s push for precision stand-off weapons underscores its focus on technological edge and operational readiness. A decision on the Air‑LORA is expected by late 2025, pending further technical trials and budget approvals.
