New Delhi: Days after the Indian Air Force carried out airstrikes on JeM camps using the Israeli Spice-2000 bombs, it decided to equip all its Sukhoi SU-30 MKIs with the advanced missile system.
According to reports, the Spice-2000 bombs were extensively used during the IAF air strikes on Pakistan on February 26 to decimate Jaish-e-Mohammad’s Balakot camp.
What is SPICE-2000?
Manufactured by the Rafael Advanced Defense Systems, SPICE stands for Smart, Precise Impact, Cost-Effective. It is an Israeli-developed, GPS-guided guidance kit for converting unguided bombs into precision guided bombs.
SPICE-2000 is mounted on a 2000-pound Mk 84 unguided bomb, converting it into an air-to-surface munition. The bomb can be dropped from a stand-off distance of up to 60 km.
Currently, only the Israeli Air Force and Indian Air Force use the missile system.
Which aircraft can drop the bomb?
At the moment, the only aircraft which is capable of delivering the bombs on enemy targets in the Indian Air Force's arsenal is the Mirage 2000.
The other aircrafts not with the Indian Air Force which can launch the missile are the F-15, F-16, Panavia Tornado, and Gripen.
Features of the SPICE-2000:
- The biggest advantage of the SPICE-2000 is touted to be its pin-point accuracy. Since it depends on GPS and satellite imagery, it reduces chances of errors and controls collateral damage.
- The SPICE-2000 is a 'fire and forget' missile, which means it hits the intended target on its own after being launched from the aircraft.
- The bomb can penetrate roofs and walls, and only then explode after identifying its particular target inside the building.
- It is believed that that besides damaging the structures, there is a likelihood of the SPICE-2000 causing maximum casualties.
- The SPICE-2000 can also reportedly function in low visibility as it can acquire infra-red images on which it depends.
'Move to be a big force multiplier'
"The Air Force is putting the bombs on the SU-30s to further enhance their firepower. Once integrated, it will be a big force multiplier," government sources told news agency ANI.
"India had acquired more than 200 of these bombs from Israel a few years back and the SU-30 MKI has already carried out trails of launching them on ground targets," the sources added.
The IAF has only around three squadrons of these planes whereas the service has already inducted more than 250 of these aircraft and has plans of getting around 20 more by the end of the year.
(With inputs from ANI)
