India ordered for around 100 SPICE 2000 bombs


News reports from India says the Air Force has placed an order with Rafael for around 100 SPICE 2000 precision-guided bombs.


India ordered for around 100 SPICE 2000 bombs Spice-2000 bomb (Picture source: http://sistemasdearmas.com.br)


The Indian Air Force concluded a Rs 300-crore deal with Israel for around 100 Rafael's Spice 2000 bombs, the weapon used during the February 26 air strikes in Pakistan’s Balakot, two defence ministry officials said on the condition of anonymity.

The bombs are an emergency purchase and likely to be delivered by the year-end, said the second official. “The bombs are a critical operational requirement,” he added.

The "SPICE" (Smart, Precise Impact, Cost-Effective) is an Israeli-developed, EO/GPS-guided guidance kit for converting air-droppable unguided bombs into precision guided bombs. A derivative of the "Popeye" (AGM-142 Have Nap) air-to-surface missile, the "Spice" is a product of Israeli company Rafael Advanced Defense Systems.  The Spice-2000 bombs used in the Balakot strikes were the penetrator version, which can completely destroy buildings and bunkers.