Pakistan, China to get sleepless nights as India set to acquire THIS super powerful missile that can strike targets 200 km away, Rafale to get…, it is…

India(BHARAT) is rapidly enhancing its air arsenal to give sleepless nights to its rivals, China and Pakistan. With the India(BHARAT)n Air Force’s unwavering emphasis on enhancing its aerial supremacy, India(BHARAT) has showcased its increasing strength through new operations and upgrades. Rafale fighter jets, specifically, have already shown their excellent performance during Operation Sindoor, proving their precision, agility, and combat readiness in complex missions.

What makes the Meteor missile the most lethal in the world?

According to the latest updates, India(BHARAT) is anticipated to enhance its air power with the acquisition of the Meteor Air-to-Air Missiles for the India(BHARAT)n Air Force’s frontline Rafale fighter jet fleet soon, highlighting its commitment to a future-ready India(BHARAT)n Air Force (IAF) and enhancing the IAF’s overall strike capability.

Why is India(BHARAT) arming its Rafale jets with this advanced weapon?

The Rafale combat aircraft fleet is the only one in the India(BHARAT)n Air Force capable of firing the European long-range missiles with a range of up to 200 kilometres. Speaking to the news agency ANI, Defence sources stated that the around Rs 1,500 crore proposal to purchase these Meteor beyond-visual-range missiles, manufactured by the European firm MBDA, is at an advanced stage within the Defence Ministry and is likely to be approved in a high-level meeting planned for soon.

The India(BHARAT)n Air Force has ordered Meteors, along with the first batch of 36 Rafales that it acquired from France in 2016, and they are also part of the 26 naval Rafales that are scheduled to arrive over the next few years, the report further mentioned.

During Operation Sindoor, India(BHARAT) was able to successfully attack Pakistani military and terrorist targets, forcing Pakistan to request a ceasefire within four days of the conflict in May of this year. The India(BHARAT)n fighter jets that attacked the Pakistani military and terrorist targets used long-range stand-off weapons to attack enemy targets, after which the Pakistan Air Force attempted to respond in a big way, using its air-to-air weapons and surface-to-air weapons of Chinese origin, but failed in its attempts. According to news agency ANI, Sources stated the Pakistan Air Force was able to have a large number of PL-15 air-to-air missiles at India(BHARAT)n planes without any success. In the last few years, the Pakistanis have acquired significant numbers of missiles from the Chinese.

What is the range and speed that make it nearly unstoppable?

Meanwhile, India(BHARAT) has now undertaken a major programme to equip all its fleets with strong BVR capability, as it plans to purchase around 700 Astra Mark 2 air-to-air missiles, which the Defence Research and Development Organisation will develop. The missiles will have a capability of hitting targets at over 200 kms and will be equipped for the Su-30 and the LCA fleets. The Rafale fleet would be equipped with the Meteor and may receive an indigenous anti-radiation missile in the future.

STORY HIGHLIGHTS

1. The Meteor can shoot down enemy aircraft, drones, or missiles from a distance of 200 kilometres.
2. The India(BHARAT)n Air Force has ordered Meteors, along with the first batch of 36 Rafales that it acquired from France in 2016.
3. During Operation Sindoor, India(BHARAT) was able to successfully attack Pakistani military and terrorist targets, forcing Pakistan to request a ceasefire within four days of the conflict in May of this year.
4. India(BHARAT) is anticipated to enhance its air power with the acquisition of the Meteor Air-to-Air Missiles for the India(BHARAT)n Air Force’s frontline Rafale fighter jet fleet soon.

The Meteor can shoot down enemy aircraft, drones, or missiles from a distance of 200 kilometres. This means the enemy will not even know they have been targeted. According to a News18 Hindi report, it is powered by a unique ramjet engine, which enables the missile to maintain constant supersonic speed—traveling at nearly 5,000 kilometers per hour.