Amid reports of Tu-160 lease, DRDO has started work on ALBMs

Source : Indian Defence Updates (IDU)

Russian MiG-31K with Kh-47M2 Hypersonic Ballistic Missile

Amid reports of India leasing 6 Russian Tupolev Tu-160 ‘White Swan’ Strategic Bombers, there are reports coming in that DRDO has already started work on the development of Air-Launched Ballistic Missiles (ALBMs) that can be launched from these type of Bombers or Heavier fighters like Sukhoi Su-30MKI.

As per reports, DRDO has been working on the development of 2 Air-Launched Ballistic Missiles (ALBMs) for the Indian Air Force that includes a shorter version with a range of 700 kilometers and another with a range of over 1,500 kilometers.

It can carry both conventional and nuclear warheads and as it is classified as a strategic weapon.

It will be limited to Sukhoi Su-30 fighter jets for launching these missiles.

The Air-Launched Ballistic Missile (ALBM) has advantages over Air-Launched Cruise Missiles (ALCMs) with better target penetration and maneuvering capabilities and they can be used to take out highly defended command centers or weapons depots that are located deep inside the enemy territory.