Bad news for Pakistan, China as India to get this lethal missile, its deadlier than BrahMos, speed is..., the name is....

India.com

10-07-2025

Air LORA is a more advanced supersonic missile than India's BrahMos. (File)
LORA missile: India's BrahMos missile showcased its devastating power during Operation Sindoor in the recent India-Pakistan war, decimating Pakistani military infrastructure, including key airbases, and now there is more bad news for New Delhi's enemies like China and Pakistan as the Indian Air Force (IAF) is reportedly mulling to acquire the Israeli-made Air-Launched Long-Range Artillery (LORA) missile. How powerful is the LORA missile?
The Air-launched version of the LORA missile which the IAF is considering, is a quasi-ballistic supersonic missile that follows a lower trajectory compared to traditional ballistic missiles, making it difficult for air defenses to intercept. The Air LORA is a fire-and-forget, enabling the pilot to disengage immediately after launch as the missile is capable of mid-course correction, allowing mid-flight.
The LORA missile uses GPS as well as Inertial Navigation System (INS) for navigation, and also features anti-jamming technology, allowing precision strikes even when electronic counter measures (ECM) are deployed. Another unique feature of AIR LORA is its seeker-less design which significantly reduces manufacturing cost while maintaining precision and accuracy.
The supersonic missile, designed and developed by Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI), can be equipped blast fragmentation or deep-penetration warheads, making it a versatile weapon for taking out a wide range targets, such as airbases, command centers, or even hardened bunkers. Why IAF wants the Air LORA missile?
The Air LORA has range between 400–430 kilometers, which would give IAF fighter jets the capability to launch strikes on enemy targets, while staying well beyond the range of their air defense systems (ADs). The Israeli missile is capable of reaching supersonic speeds of up to Mach 5 (five times the speed of sound), making it difficult for enemy ADs to intercept.
Air LORA measures 5.2 meters in length, weighs 1600 kg, and can carry warheads weighing up to 570 kg.
The AIR LORA is a stand-off weapon, means it can deployed without entering enemy airspace. This capability is essential for Indian fighter aircraft to strike deep inside enemy territory without entering contested airspace, especially considering India's volatile border challenges.
One Su-30 MKI can carry up to four AIR LORA missiles, enabling a single fighter jet to carry out precision strikes against multiple enemy targets. What's the current status of deal to acquire LORA missiles?
According to media reports, the IAF expressed interest in the LORA missile following the successful deployment of the Rampage missile during Operation Sindoor in May 2025. In 2023, Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) and IAI had signed an MoU for the joint manufacturing and technology transfer of LORA and other defense systems.
The deal is still under discussion, and will drastically reducing the manufacturing cost of the LORA missiles, if it goes through.
At present, a single unit of Air LORA costs between $1 million to $5 million, depending on the configuration and payload, making it comparatively 'cheaper' than similar long-range missile systems.