A successful launch of the new variant of a Medium-Range Ballistic Missile was carried out under the aegis of the Strategic Forces Command on April 23, 2024. The user launch has proven the operational capability of the Command and validated new technologies.
As per speculations ongoing in the social media, the missile is said to be an Israeli origin air launched ballistic missile capable of taking out targets at 250 kms range. Some of the defence experts have identified the missile as Crystal Maze II and has been delivered from the Andaman island range via a Russian Sukhoi-30 MKI aircraft.
With the launch now successful, India might want to make these missiles in large numbers domestically under the Make in India programme. The kind of relations both India and Israel enjoy, it should come through easily.
The missile’s capability to hit targets at the excess of 250 kms provides Indian Air Force with the kind of deterrence India needs on China front.