India eyes more Spice
The Indian Air Force (IAF) is to buy more Spice 2000 precision-guidance kits from Israel, using emergency procurement powers granted by the Narendra Modi government, according to reports in the Indian media.
Spice is an Israeli precision guidance kit, made by Rafael Advanced Defense Systems, that is designed to convert conventional unguided bombs into precision-guided munitions.
According to Shephard Defence Insight, the IAF has approximately 100 Spice munitions in its inventory.
Spice 2000 is designed to work with general-purpose and penetration warheads weighing about 2,000 lb (900kg). It consists of an add-on kit for warheads such as the MK-84, BLU-109, RAP-2000 and others.
Amid the ongoing border dispute with China, the Indian government has given the armed forces discretionary powers to spend up to INR500 crore ($66 million) on any weapon system.
Spice 2000 was used by the IAF in 2019, in airstrikes on Pakistani terrorist camps.
As part of our promise to deliver comprehensive coverage to our Defence Insight and Premium News subscribers, our curated defence news content provides the latest industry updates, contract awards and programme milestones.
Related Equipment in Defence Insight
More from Air Warfare
-
US approves possible $1.96 billion MQ-9B drone sale for Qatar
Qatar moves one step closer towards acquiring the MQ-9B SkyGuardian, as the Trump administration shows a renewed interest selling the platforms to countries in the Middle East.
-
Avalon 2025: Anduril looks to build solid rocket motors in Australia and plans to fire up Fury
Anduril is in the running for the Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) requirement with its large Fury unmanned aerial system (UAS) but the solid rocket motor (SRM) maker sees a big opportunity in Australia’s Guided Weapons and Explosive Ordnance (GWEO) plans.
-
Avalon 2025: Innovaero unveils loitering munitions and makes case for involvement in guided weapons programme
Innovaero has had local success with its One-Way Loitering (OWL) electric-powered kamikaze drone which is believed to be in service with the Australian Army. The company, however, is eyeing potential involvement in the Australian Government’s Guided Weapon Explosive Ordnance (GWEO) plan to push local industry.
-
British Army to explore CUAS options to combat Class 1 drones
Named Project Vanaheim, the joint project will be run by the British and US armies and is the ‘first wave’ in a substantial programme of work to update both armed forces’ CUAS capabilities.
-
US Navy's next-gen aircraft contract award expected this week
The F/A-XX programme is the US Navy’s answer to improving air superiority against the rising threat of China in the Indo-Pacific.
-
Avalon 2025: General Atomics combat drone to fly before August and will be targeted at Australian requirements
General Atomics-Aeronautical Systems Inc (GA-ASI) landed the big win when it was awarded Project Air 7003. Despite the cancellation in 2022, however, the company sees potential in the Australian market.