The Indian Air Force wants more reach. Despite owning the formidable BrahMos, it’s now looking at Israel Aerospace Industries’ Air-Launched Long-Range Artillery (Air LORA) missile.
LORA Could Be India’s Next Big Strike Weapon
The Indian Air Force wants more reach. Despite owning the formidable BrahMos, it’s now looking at Israel Aerospace Industries’ Air-Launched Long-Range Artillery (Air LORA) missile. This comes hot on the heels of May’s Operation Sindoor, where the Rampage missile got its first taste of combat and proved how vital stand-off range really is.
Air LORA isn’t a minor tweak. It’s a quasi-ballistic, supersonic missile that flies about 400–430 kilometres and lands within ten metres of its target. LORA isn’t your typical cruise missile. It blends ballistic missile traits with air-launch flexibility. Instead of hugging the ground like BrahMos, it soars on a high, depressed trajectory. That makes it trickier to shoot down.
Back in 2023, IAI and Bharat Electronics Limited signed a Memorandum of Understanding to co-produce advanced missile systems. If LORA gets the green light, expect licensed production under Make in India. The estimated cost of $1-5 million per missile places the Air LORA within reasonable procurement parameters, particularly when compared to the BrahMos system’s approximately $4.85 million per unit cost.
The system’s all-weather operation capability and 24/7 deployment readiness ensure continuous deterrent effect against potential adversaries. The procurement timeline of 2026-27 reflects the urgency with which India views the need for enhanced stand-off capabilities.
Quick Specs
Range: 400–430 km
Speed: Supersonic, about Mach 5
Accuracy: Less than 10-metre CEP
Warhead: Blast fragmentation or deep-penetration, up to 570 kg
Weight: 1,600 kg; Length: 5.2 metres
Current operators
Israel
Azerbaijan
Future Operators
Bharat
