Israel offers India a solution to counter Pakistan's China-made air-to-air missiles: 'Sky Sting'
Israel-made Sky Sting 6th Gen long-range air-to-air missile | X
After Operation Sindoow, Pakistan had stated that its Chinese-made PL-15E missile managed to down Indian fighter jets, including Rafale, despite India never confirming it. Despite the claims and counterclaims, the Chinese PL-15E managed to grab eyeballs as it was created by China to rival the US's Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missile.
Amid debatable claims that the use of China's most threatening missiles gave Pakistan an edge during a battle in the skies, Israel has offered India a valuable solution to counter Chinese missiles: the Sky Sting 6th Gen long-range air-to-air missile.
Israel approached India, its largest arms buyer, and offered to equip all of its Sukhoi-30 fighter jets with the Sky Sting, which reportedly has a much longer range than those of the ones owned by Pakistan, unconfirmed reports say. The Sky Sting, manufactured by Israeli defence technology company Rafael Advanced Defence Systems Ltd, was first unveiled at a defence exhibition in 2023, is considered operationally ready.
Sky Sting missile
The Sky Sting is powered by a three-pulse rocket motor and boasts an impressive range of up to 250 kilometres, while the PL-15E has only a range of 145 kilometres. The domestic Chinese version of the missile however, has a range of 200-300 kilometres.
The missile is also equipped with a two-way data link, allowing it to receive continuous updates on the target's location during the flight, as well as a smart active radar device with high resistance to electronic jamming. Likely, it will also incorporate a passive radar homing mode, which uses the jamming source itself as a guide to the target, by the sixth generation concept and advanced ECCM capabilities.
India has a robust defence relationship with Israel, including its dependence on Harop, a suicide drone developed by Israel Aerospace Industries. During Operation Sindoor, Harop drones were widely used to strike terror locations in Pakistan. The use of Harop and Heron drones in the recent conflict reflected Israel’s growing footprint in Indian defence, analysts believe.
Rafael has earlier too collaborated with India, including supplying Barak-8 missile defence system and the Spike anti-tank guided missiles.
Recently, there were reports that the Indian Air Force is reportedly considering the procurement of Air Lora missiles developed by Israel Aerospace Industries.
Middle East