It is reported to be better than its Chinese counterpart.
New Delhi: Recently, we reported that during Russian president Vladimir Putin’s visit to Delhi, Moscow might offer its advanced fighter jet, the Su-57 to India. Moving ahead, it is being speculated by defence experts that the United States might offer to sell the advanced AIM-120D3 Beyond Visual Range (BVR) air-to-air missile to India.
The AIM-120 Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missile (AMRAAM) long-range missile is capable of all-weather day-and-night operations. In fact, it is reported to be better than the Chinese PL-15 (Thunderbolt-15) active radar-guided long-range air-to-air missile.
It is also said to be more efficient in vital functions like range and accuracy. But it does not come without its drawbacks. Given its sophisticated American technology, it is not yet clear if it can be integrated with the different fighter aircraft in the posse of the Indian Air Force (IAF) and the Indian Navy which trace their origin to Russia, France, and indigenously developed aircraft.
IAF sources are said to be uncertain to give a thumbs up to the proposed deal by any chance as they have identified the intricacies that will have to be dealt with in incorporating the AIM-120D3 onto non-American aircraft, except limited European platforms.
This is where it makes no sense in closing any deal about only the missile unless accompanied by American fighter jets and this scenario is nothing but a chimera.
The AIM-120D3 is part of the AMRAAM (Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missile) family. It is meant for modern aerial combat with improvements in guidance, range, and survivability against countermeasures. It represents cutting-edge technology in air warfare.
Anyone suggesting modifications must be thinking out of their hat, and if it is indeed put into action, a major portion of India’s defence infrastructure would be affected, and that is the last thing one would want for even for this highly superior missile.
India has never aligned with any military bloc and its policy of non-alignment, irrespective of the international relations and geographical factors, cannot tilt America in its favour as far as its most advanced weapons systems and technology security are concerned.
