Israeli Missile on India Fighter -LCA

[Hembo]

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Israeli Missile on India Fighter - Defense/Middle East - News - Israel National News

Rafael Advanced Defense Systems Ltd to supply air-to-air missile system to be fitted on 200 jets.

By Gil Ronen
First Publish: 2/17/2011, 9:25 PM / Last Update: 2/17/2011, 9:29 PM



India’s new Tejas fighter will be armed with Israel’s Derby missile, according to Indian website LiveMint. The Derby is medium-range active-radar seeker air-to-air missile, that can hit targets at about 50 km. away. Missiles that can achieve this range are known by the acronym BVR - beyond visual range.

A contract for supplying the Derby will be signed by March with Rafael Advanced Defense Systems. Rafael will also fit the missiles on about 200 jets, according to P.S. Subramanya, director of India’s Aeronautical Development Agency, which is developing the light combat aircraft.

The Indian Air Force (known, like its Israeli counterpart, as the IAF) has ordered 40 Tejas fighters to be built. The Indian Air Force also wants 100 units of the Mk-II version of the fighter, and the navy wants 60 of the naval versions, Subramanya said.

The jet "recently obtained restricted initial operational clearance, with a full clearance targeted for December 2012," LiveMint said. In order to obtain full clearance, the jets need to integrate a BVR missile - therefore, delivery of the missiles is expected in the second half of 2012.

India’s Sea Harrier jets carry Derby missiles. Rafael's Python missile, closely related to the Derby, was also an option for the Tejas, Subramanya stated.

[Skull and Bones]

With maximum range of 50km, its barely a BVR missile.

[DragonKnight]

With maximum range of 50km, its barely a BVR missile.

Original Post By Skull and Bones

But at the same time, they are the most reliable proven missiles

[Skull and Bones]

But at the same time, they are the most reliable proven missiles

Original Post By DragonKnight

I think IAF is going for cost cutting measures, Derby is cheaper than MICA.

[DragonKnight]

I think IAF is going for cost cutting measures, Derby is cheaper than MICA.

Original Post By Skull and Bones

I don't think so.... when funding is not a problem

[Hembo]

@S&B

Do you have any idea why Python was rejected??

[Skull and Bones]

I don't think so.... when funding is not a problem

Original Post By DragonKnight

Or maybe going for Derby was the only way out for selecting Elta/Em-2032 MMR Radar. Anyway, i'm not satisfied with its range.

[Hembo]

Or maybe going for Derby was the only way out for selecting Elta/Em-2032 MMR Radar. Anyway, i'm not satisfied with its range.

Original Post By Skull and Bones

May be for Mk-I and/or N-LCAs. For Mk-II, I'm sure they will opt for missile with higher range to go with AESA.

[Skull and Bones]

@S&B

Do you have any idea why Python was rejected??

Original Post By Hembo

Python's range is even less with inferior seeker, Derby is the advanced variant of Python. For an active radar seeker missile, range is pathetic.

[DragonKnight]

Python's range is even less with inferior seeker, Derby is the advanced variant of Python. For an active radar seeker missile, range is pathetic.

Original Post By Skull and Bones

Well for a missile that just weighs 118kgs, 50km is not bad

[Hembo]

Python's range is even less with inferior seeker, Derby is the advanced variant of Python. For an active radar seeker missile, range is pathetic.

Original Post By Skull and Bones

I meant to ask, if we are opting for 50 KM range for cost consideration, python would have been a more cheaper option for such low range.

[Skull and Bones]

May be for Mk-I and/or N-LCAs. For Mk-II, I'm sure they will opt for missile with higher range to go with AESA.

Original Post By Hembo

And what AESA radar do we have in our disposal? none.

Elta/Em-2052 sale has been blocked by US coz' of some critical component is of US origin.

DRDO has been working on their own airborne AESA radar for almost a decade, don't know about its current status.

One possible option is to buy/collaborate with Selex Galileo for Vixen 1000ES AESA radar, the one which Gripen is supposed to get.

[Vritra]

Because it isn't meant to be a proper BVRAAM. Even Israel utilizes the AMRAAM in that role. The Derby is a dogfighting missile with some BVR capabilities, including LOAL. It is as manoeuvrable as an AIM-9X, but with twice the range, which can prove an advantage.

The Tejas' main BVRAAM will be the Astra.

[Skull and Bones]

I meant to ask, if we are opting for 50 KM range for cost consideration, python would have been a more cheaper option for such low range.

Original Post By Hembo

Python's range is about 30-35km, does that count as BVR.

[Skull and Bones]

Selex Galileo Vixen 1000ES AESA radar.