Indian Air Force To Receive 164 Litening Targeting Pod For Su-30MKI Fighters

Israeli Rafael will supply 164 examples of Litening targeting pod to Indian air force for four types of combat aircraft including Su-30 fighters.

“The pods will be delivered in the next couple of years,” Guy Oren, director of Rafael's electro-optical systems unit was quoted as saying by Flightglobal Wednesday.

An advanced version of the Litening 4 – the Litening 4 I – will be supplied. The improved system has been equipped with upgraded infrared cameras and a charge-coupled device colour camera to help identify targets on the ground, particularly dense areas, Rafael says.

The company adds that the new version doubles up as a surveillance and reconnaissance system in addition to being a targeting pod.

In February it was announced that the planned Litening acquisition would fall under a larger $500 million deal between India and Israel, which would also see the Rafael Spice 250 precision-guided bomb provided to New Delhi.