IAF Pursuing Acquisition Of 200 Israeli ROCKS Missiles With ToT For Domestic Manufacturing: Reports

The Indian Air Force is pushing to acquire approximately 200 Israeli ROCKS air-launched quasi-ballistic missiles, simultaneously pursuing a Transfer of Technology agreement to manufacture them domestically, a move that would make the ROCKS only the second Israeli air-launched strike missile slated for local production in India. The procurement drive gained decisive momentum after the IAF successfully test-fired the missile, known in Indian service as Crystal Maze 2, from a Sukhoi Su-30MKI over the Andaman and Nicobar Islands in April 2024, validating a standoff strike capability that allows the launch aircraft to hit targets beyond 250 kilometres while remaining safely outside enemy air defence envelopes. The Crystal Maze 2's guidance system combines electro-optical and inertial navigation, ensuring precision accuracy in GPS-denied environments, directly relevant to India's western and northern operational theatres. The combat validation angle has added fresh urgency. Israeli air-launched ballistic missiles earned a proven operational record in Operation Epic Fury in February 2026, and India which closely tracks real-world performance before major acquisitions is treating that combat credential as a significant accelerant for decision-making. The ROCKS order sits within a broader, rapidly expanding Israeli missile acquisition architecture. DAC approvals in December 2025 covered SPICE-1000 precision kits, Rampage missiles, Air LORA and the Ice Breaker stand-off cruise missile. PM Modi's state visit to Israel on February 25-26, 2026 included Israeli indications of willingness to share technology for Iron Dome, Iron Beam, Arrow and David's Sling, alongside the Golden Horizon long-range air-launched ballistic missile. If ROCKS procurement and co-production are finalised, India's standoff strike architecture would combine BrahMos-A and SCALP-EG cruise missiles with high-speed ballistic options across multiple ranges and speed regimes.