From intercontinental ballistic missiles capable of travelling thousands of kilometres to precision-guided tactical systems, major powers are investing heavily in stand-off strike capabilities that can hit hardened targets deep inside enemy territory.
As per reports, India, which has developed long-range ballistic systems under the Agni series, including the nuclear-capable Agni-5, is now examining an offer that could further expand its aerial strike reach.
Israel has reportedly proposed supplying India with the Golden Horizon Air-Launched Ballistic Missile (ALBM), a deep-strike weapon designed to target fortified and underground strategic facilities.
The proposed missile is understood to be derived from Israel’s Silver Sparrow, a target missile earlier used in missile defence trials to simulate ballistic threats. According to defence assessments, the new variant has been modified into an operational weapon that can be launched from fighter aircraft.
Although official specifications have not been disclosed, various defence reports estimate the missile’s range to be between 1,000 and 2,000 kilometres. If inducted, it is likely to be integrated with the Indian Air Force’s Sukhoi Su-30MKI fleet, significantly enhancing the service’s stand-off strike capability.
A New Class of Strategic Weapon
Strategic analysts reportedly say the system would fall into a different category from the tactical missiles currently in Indian service.
Israel has previously supplied India with systems such as LORA, which has a reported range of about 400 kilometres, and Rampage, capable of striking targets at around 250 kilometres.
These weapons are mainly intended to neutralise battlefield assets such as radar stations, air defence systems, command centres and ammunition depots.
Golden Horizon, however, is believed to be designed for hardened and deeply buried targets, including underground command bunkers, reinforced military infrastructure and nuclear-related facilities.
In modern military planning, many strategic installations are protected by thick concrete and underground construction, requiring weapons that combine high speed with deep penetration capability.
As an air-launched ballistic missile, Golden Horizon would follow a ballistic trajectory after release, ascending to high altitude before descending towards its target at extremely high speed.
Defence experts estimate that its terminal velocity could approach hypersonic levels, above Mach 5 making it significantly more difficult for conventional air defence systems to intercept. The immense kinetic energy generated during its final phase is expected to improve its ability to penetrate hardened structures.