NEW DELHI: The Indian Air Force has taken note of Pakistan’s latest acquisition of 100 anti-radiation missiles (ARM) from Brazil. The missile is an air-to-surface weapon used for destroying air defence ground radars.
Pakistan bought the missiles from Brazil last month. Brazil’s decision to go ahead with the deal at the height of tension in the subcontinent has surprised Indian defence experts.
The missile has a maximum range of 25 km and has a 200 pound warhead. Fired from fighter jets, it seeks and destroys air defence radars even when they are deactivated.
Indian officials said that the IAF also has its own ARMs which are capable of meeting the threat. The IAF fighter jets use Russian Kh-31 ARMs with passive homing radar.
These missiles are fitted on top of the line fighter like Su-30 MKI.
Brazil had MAR-1 missiles in late 1999s for its Embraer/ Aermacchi fighters.
There is an interesting tale about the development of the missile which is believed to be a derivative of US AGM-45 Shrike ARM. Shrike ARM was fitted on British Avro Vulcon jets.
During the Falkan waragainst Argentina, a Vulcan developed a snag while returning from a sortie.
Brazilian F-5 fighters escorted the aircraft back.
The Royal Air Force plane landed at a Brazilian airfield and returned after the technical fault was removed.
But the Shrike was held back by the Brazilians. The missile was returned later but not before the Brazilian engineers had taken a “good look” at it.
There is a general belief in Brazil that Mar-1 (Missil Anti-Radiacao 1) was developed out of the episode although little is known about its features. It has an autonomous target search and GPS.
Indian officials said the deal signed in December is being closely watched.
It came as a surprise as Brazil has close military relations with India.
The two countries had come closer in recent years as part of the South-South cooperation programme.
New Delhi has a trilateral co-operation arrangement with Brazil and South Africa.
The Indian Air Force had recently purchased Brazilian Embraer executive jets.