Tel Aviv: A big demand brought Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) to develop new versions of ground-ground missiles. This demand comes from the Israeli defence forces (IDF) and foreign armed forces. The only exposed ground-ground missile made by IAI is the LORA that is being used by the IDF and by some foreign armed forces including Azerbaijan.Â
Developed by IAI’s MALAM division, LORA is a sea-to-ground and ground-to-ground system which comprises a long-range ballistic missile, a unique launcher, a command and control system, and a ground/marine support system. The LORA system provides ballistic assault capabilities for multiple ranges with a precision level of 10 meters CEP. Max range is 430 km. The LORA is 5.2 metres long and has a diameter of 60 cm.
It is armed with different types of warheads with an average weight of 450 kgs.
The LORA enables to attack targets at sea and on the ground. The installation of the launcher on a navy vessel according to IAI is simple. Sources said that IAI is working on the development of new versions that will be capable of hitting target in ranges greater than the current range of the LORA and shorter. The sources added that all the new versions are designed like the LORA to enable launch from the ground and navy ships.
The navigation systems (GPS/INS) of the new versions will be more immune to EW interferences and will be armed with a greater variety of warheads.
-The writer is an Israel-based freelance journalist. The views expressed are of the writer and do not necessarily reflect the views of Raksha Anirveda
