‘New’ Israeli Missile For IAF: How Python-5 Missile Gives Tejas More Teeth

The DRDO announced on Wednesday that the indigenous Tejas fighter has been cleared to carry the Python-5 short-range air-to-air missile.
The Python-5 is the second air-to-air missile of Israeli origin to be integrated on the Tejas fighter. The first was the Derby medium-range air-to-air missile. Both weapons are made by the Israeli defence company Rafael. While the Derby is a radar-guided weapon thought to have a range of over 50km, the Python-5 is an infra-red guided missile that ‘homes in’ on the heat signature of a target. The Python-5 is believed to have a range of at least 20km. Read More…