Aero India 2021: Rafael showcases Spice 250 with extended range
New variant of Spice 250 is put on display during Aero India 2021; while there are no confirmed orders yet from India, manufacturer Rafael is selling its Spike ATGM to meet an urgent operational requirement.
The border conflict with China in East Ladakh prompted the Indian government to accelerate procurement plans in 2020, as the year ended with more than INR290 billion ($4 billion) of unbudgeted spending.
As the volatile situation continues, capital outlay for the military has been increased by around 18%.
An example is the Spike ATGM from Rafael Advanced Defense Systems, partial production of which in India has suffered from bureaucratic delays and lethargy since 2010. However, the crisis with China spurred India to place a priority order for an undisclosed quantity of Spike missiles.
‘The issue with unplanned buys is of
Already have an account? Log in
Want to keep reading this article?
More from Air Warfare
-
![Electric and hybrid aerial drone fleets are expanding their footprint]()
Electric and hybrid aerial drone fleets are expanding their footprint
Advances in uncrewed aerial vehicles powered by renewable technologies are coming to the fore, with battery, hydrogen and solar propulsion challenging traditional fossil fuel-dependent models.
-
![CH-47 Chinook: why the iconic helicopter design is still a heavy-lift contender (updated 2026)]()
CH-47 Chinook: why the iconic helicopter design is still a heavy-lift contender (updated 2026)
From its emergence as a ground-breaking design in the 1950s to its widespread deployment in diverse operations worldwide, the Chinook continues to leave an indelible mark on the aviation landscape. Shephard sums up the helicopter’s latest developments.
-
![UK vows to accelerate Lyra programme for Ukraine as defence industry eyes opportunities]()
UK vows to accelerate Lyra programme for Ukraine as defence industry eyes opportunities
Project Nightfall and Project Octopus both fall under the Lyra programme, with UK industry working to develop and deliver additional missiles and drones to help bolster Ukraine’s warfighting capabilities against Russia.
-
![How detection-led C-UAS solutions are transforming drone defense]()
How detection-led C-UAS solutions are transforming drone defense
Modern C-UAS solutions must detect threats early, integrate layered sensors, and deliver fast, scalable, adaptable defense against evolving drones.
