Indian Air Force is planning to arm its Jaguar deep penetration strike aircraft with long range anti-ship missiles to boost its maritime warfare capability.
The force has issued the Request for Proposals for induction of a number of these missiles. Boeing Integrated Defence Systems and the French-led European consortium MBDA are among the competitors bidding for the contract.
Boeing is offering its Harpoon active radar homing and low level sea-skimming missiles, while the French are in the market with their Exocet missiles. Indian order for these missiles could be larger as the same missiles may be deployed on long range maritime reconnaissance aircraft to be acquired by the Navy.
The Navy has floated international tenders for purchase of eight of these advanced naval spy planes. Boeing with its new P-8 and Lockheed Martin with its P3C Orions are the main contenders for the Navy's order.
The aircraft launched AGM-84 anti-ship missiles are currently deployed on the US navy's F/A-18 Super Hornets, P-3C Orions and also few USAF B-52H bombers. Harpoon is the only dedicated anti-ship missile in service with the US forces and recently it has also been developed into several advanced versions, including the SLAM (Stand Off Land attack missile) derivates, for high precision attacks on land targets.
