The Indian Air Force (IAF) has officially announced that its Su-30MKI aircraft now carry Israeli-made Rampage missiles. Air Marshal AP Singh declared this milestone at a news conference with local media, emphasizing a considerable improvement in the IAF’s operational capability and weapon system integration.
The IAF published a short, low-definition video to back the confirmation. This footage was captured using helmet cameras worn by a pilot participating in Operation Sindoor, India’s recent military strike against Pakistan.
The video shows two Su-30MKI aircraft flying in formation above the Himalayas, followed by the firing of a 570-kilogram Rampage missile from a wing-mounted pylon on one Su-30MKI.
The launch sequence begins with the auditory call-out “Fox Three – Rampage Away,” followed by the missile’s trajectory and telemetry directing it precisely toward a simulated command and control bunker target, culminating in a series of secondary explosions upon contact.pAn Air Force officer stated that this is the first operational use of the Rampage missile on a Su-30MKI aircraft. The successful deployment validated seamless weapon integration, which was accomplished using software upgrades developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO).
These improvements enabled the missile to work with the Su-30MKI’s current AL-31FP engine and avionics suite, overcoming the technical obstacles of combining Israeli systems that were previously limited to attack and carrier-based aircraft.
Prior to its integration on the Su-30MKI, the Rampage missile was part of the IAF’s weaponry inventory for Jaguar Darin-III strike aircraft and MiG-29K carrier-based fighters located at INS Vikramaditya. The missile was used on Jaguars for deep strike missions against enemy facilities, and its effectiveness was demonstrated in exercises such as Tarang Shakti.
The missile’s primary mission on the MiG-29K aircraft was anti-ship. However, mounting the missile onto the larger and more structurally distinct Su-30MKI required structural reinforcing and fire control system upgrades.
India purchased its initial stock of Rampage missiles from Israel between 2020 and 2021, during a period of heightened border tensions with China. Since then, the Rampage missile has become a key component of the IAF’s modernization efforts, reflecting a strategic push to diversify and improve its air-launched precision strike capabilities.
Furthermore, rumors indicate that India is eager to negotiate indigenous production of the Rampage missile. Such a move will improve supply security and operational readiness while also aligning with the national emphasis on “Made in India” initiatives.
This technique has already been demonstrated in the domestic production of BrahMos cruise missiles adapted for multiple IAF platforms, and local Rampage production would help to enhance India’s indigenous defense industry base.
