ISLAMABAD: India’s Defence Acquisition Council has approved a massive $8.7billion defence package, prominently featuring around 1,000 IsraeliSPICE-1000 precision guidance kits, granting the Indian Air Force asignificant 100-125 kilometre standoff strike capability against hardenedtargets. This acquisition, blending advanced electronic warfare resilienceand multi-domain upgrades, aims to sharpen India’s deterrence postureagainst neighbouring Pakistan and China in an increasingly contestedregional security environment.
The SPICE-1000 kits, developed by Rafael Advanced Defense Systems,transform conventional 1,000-pound bombs into smart, jam-resistant glideweapons capable of autonomous navigation in GPS-denied scenarios. Withfold-out wings extending glide range beyond most air defence envelopes,these munitions allow IAF fighters like Su-30MKI and Rafale to engagehigh-value assets without risking pilot exposure to surface-to-air missiles.
Defence analysts note that while the package includes air-to-air missiles,loitering munitions, and networked systems, the SPICE-1000 forms itscentrepiece, reflecting lessons from recent border skirmishes wherestandoff precision proved decisive. India’s reliance on proven Israelitechnology underscores operational urgency, even as indigenous alternativeslike DRDO’s Gaurav glide bomb approach induction but lag in maturity andelectronic warfare countermeasures.
In contrast, Pakistan has achieved self-reliance in standoff weapons,indigenously producing the Ra’ad-II air-launched cruise missile with areported 600-kilometre range, far exceeding the SPICE-1000’s glidedistance. Powered by a turbojet engine for low-altitude terrain-huggingflight, Ra’ad-II offers subsonic stealth and precision against land and seatargets, enhancing Pakistan Air Force deterrence without foreign dependency.
Furthermore, Pakistan’s Fatah-II guided rocket system provides a400-kilometre standoff option for artillery divisions, equipped withmanoeuvrable features to evade missile defences. These indigenous systems,developed through national engineering efforts, deliver longer reach andoperational flexibility compared to imported glide kits costing billions.
The timing of India’s procurement raises questions about regional balance,as New Delhi invests heavily in foreign systems for capabilities Islamabadhas mastered domestically. While SPICE-1000 bolsters IAF’s immediateprecision strike edge, Pakistan’s longer-range cruise and rocket arsenalmaintains strategic parity at lower cost.
Experts highlight that standoff weapons shift airpower dynamics, reducingaircraft vulnerability in high-threat zones dominated by integrated airdefences. India’s move signals preparedness for multi-domain conflicts,integrating precision munitions with advanced fighters and surveillanceassets.
Yet, Pakistan’s indigenous advancements, including potentialnuclear-capable delivery options, underscore a maturing defence industrycapable of countering imported technologies. The Ra’ad family, integratedon Mirage and potentially JF-17 platforms, provides versatile standoffdeterrence across broader distances.
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This disparity in approach—import versus indigenisation—highlightscontrasting strategies in South Asian military modernisation. As Indiaallocates billions for Israeli kits, Pakistan’s homegrown solutions achievesuperior range and cost-effectiveness, potentially alteringing long-termsustainability.
Regional observers warn that escalating acquisitions could fuel an armsrace, complicating stability along contested borders. Both nations continueenhancing precision strike arsenals amid persistent tensions over Kashmirand eastern frontiers.
Source:https://defencesecurityasia.com/en/india-8-7-billion-defence-procurement-1000-spice-1000-kits-iaf-125km-standoff-strike/
Tags: India, Pakistan, Israel, SPICE-1000, Ra’ad-II, Fatah-II, Indian AirForce
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