IAF Eyes Spice-250 ER Bombs with 300+ km Range to Outgun Pakistan’s Long-Range Missiles

The Indian Air Force (IAF) is preparing to significantly enhance its deep-strike capabilities with the planned acquisition of the Spice-250 Extended Range (ER) precision-guided bombs. Developed by Israel’s Rafael Advanced Defence Systems, this weapon is designed to strike targets over 300 kilometers away, allowing Indian fighter jets to operate safely from within Indian airspace—far beyond the range of Pakistan’s air-to-air missile systems.

Why This Matters: Staying Ahead of Pakistan’s Missile Threat

The move comes in response to Pakistan’s growing air-to-air missile threat. The Pakistan Air Force (PAF) has equipped its JF-17 and J-10C fighter jets with China’s PL-15E beyond-visual-range air-to-air missile (BVRAAM), which boasts a publicly declared range of 145 km.

This missile is part of a larger Chinese-Pakistani effort to build a more lethal aerial combat force. Newer developments like the PL-17, which could reportedly exceed 300 km, raise further concerns for Indian air dominance, especially during high-stakes border tensions.

By arming its frontline aircraft with the Spice-250 ER, India will gain the ability to strike deep inside enemy territory without entering enemy missile range—a major strategic advantage in any future conflict scenario.

What Makes the Spice-250 ER Special?

The Spice-250 ER is not just a standard bomb with wings. It combines precision, extended range, and survivability in a compact package. Here’s what makes it stand out:

• Extended Range: Thanks to its micro turbojet engine, the ER variant can fly over 300 km, unlike glide bombs that rely only on altitude and gravity.

• High Accuracy: It uses a hybrid guidance system combining:

  • GPS + Inertial Navigation System (INS)

  • Electro-Optical (EO) Seeker with AI-based Scene Matching
    This EO system allows the bomb to "see" and match real-time terrain to preloaded images, ensuring it hits only the correct target, even in GPS-jammed environments.

• Warhead: It can carry various warhead types depending on mission requirements, ideal for high-value targets like radar stations, bunkers, command posts, or even moving vehicles.

This cutting-edge system is an evolution of the Spice family that India previously used effectively—most notably during the 2019 Balakot airstrikes.

Platforms and Strategic Use

The IAF plans to integrate the Spice-250 ER on its most powerful combat aircraft:

• Sukhoi Su-30MKI

• Dassault Rafale

These aircraft will be able to launch the bombs while staying outside enemy missile range, effectively outranging Pakistan’s current missile systems and destroying enemy airbases, control centers, or ammunition depots from a safe distance.

Who Else Has Such Weapons?

Globally, Israel and the United States have led the way in long-range air-to-ground stand-off weapons. Examples include:

• Israel: Spice family (100, 200, 250, 250 ER, and 1000) with AI and EO guidance.

• USA:

  • JSOW-ER (Joint Stand-Off Weapon – Extended Range), with similar 300+ km capabilities.

  • AGM-158 JASSM cruise missile with ranges up to 370 km (standard) and over 900 km (JASSM-ER).

While a few countries possess similar technologies, only a handful have mastered compact, AI-guided bombs with such extended range.

India’s acquisition of the Spice-250 ER places it in elite company, narrowing the capability gap with Western air forces and giving it a clear edge over regional adversaries.

Self-Reliance and Tactical Depth

Although the Spice-250 ER is a foreign system, it aligns with India's broader defence strategy. It complements indigenous developments like the Smart Anti-Airfield Weapon (SAAW), which is being produced domestically under the Aatmanirbhar Bharat (self-reliant India) campaign.

By combining foreign precision systems with local innovation, India is crafting a layered and flexible strike capability that ensures it can defend itself and retaliate effectively—without unnecessarily risking its pilots or platforms.

In summary, the planned acquisition of the Spice-250 ER bombs marks a major leap forward in India’s air strike capabilities. With over 300 km range, AI-guided precision, and stand-off safety, it gives the IAF the power to neutralize threats long before they become a danger, reshaping the aerial balance of power in South Asia.