India’s ‘Blue Sparrow’? Rocks To Golden Horizon, How New Delhi Is Using Israeli Missile Technology

Last Updated:March 06, 2026, 14:17 IST

Israel's Blue Sparrow missile killed Iran's Khamenei: India is integrating and testing Israeli missile technology such as ROCKS and Golden Horizon to enhance its capabilities

During Operation Epic Fury, the ‘Blue Sparrow’ missile, an advanced Israeli air-launched ballistic missile (ALBM), was reportedly used to assassinate Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on February 28.

India, too, is currently integrating and testing Israeli missile technology, specifically the ROCKS missile and the Golden Horizon, to enhance its deep-strike capabilities, said reports.

Blue Sparrow: The Missile that killed Khamenei

The Blue Sparrow is often called a “missile from space" due to its unique flight path. Launched at approximately 7:30 AM Iran time from Israeli F-15 or F-35 fighter jets, the missiles struck Khamenei’s compound in Tehran around 9:40 AM.

After launch, a booster rocket propels the missile to the edge of the Earth’s atmosphere (near-space). It then re-enters at hypersonic speeds (over Mach 5), following a quasi-ballistic arc that makes it nearly impossible to intercept with conventional air defences.

The missile uses GPS and inertial navigation to hit high-value, fortified targets with extreme accuracy, reportedly capable of hitting a specific room from over 1,000 km away.

Developed by Rafael Advanced Defense Systems, the Sparrow family (including Black and Silver variants) was originally designed to simulate enemy ballistic missiles for testing Israel’s Arrow defence system before being adapted for offensive use.

Israeli technology for India: ROCKS missile and Golden Horizon

India is leveraging the technology behind the Sparrow family to modernise the Indian Air Force (IAF) arsenal, primarily through the ROCKS and Golden Horizon systems, the Business Standard reported.

ROCKS Missile: An operational derivative of the Blue Sparrow/Anchor family. The IAF successfully test-fired the ROCKS or Crystal Maze 2 missile from a Sukhoi Su-30MKI fighter in April 2024. It has a range of about 300 km and is designed to strike high-value targets in GPS-denied environments using electro-optical seekers.

Golden Horizon: Reported to have been offered to India in February 2026 for integration onto upgraded Su-30MKI platforms. This long-range ALBM (estimated range of 1,500–2,000 km) would allow India to strike deep into enemy territory without crossing international borders.

India tests ROCKS missile

India has already begun exploring this technology through its collaboration with Israeli defence manufacturers.

In April 2024, the IAF test-fired the ROCKS missile from a Sukhoi Su-30MKI fighter aircraft, highlighting India’s ability to target deep inside enemy territory without even crossing its own airspace.

Under the Atmanirbhar initiative, India is exploring larger orders of these missiles equipped with India-sourced components and potential technology transfers to the DRDO.

Israeli technology used by India during Operation Sindoor

India heavily used advanced Israeli technology during Operation Sindoor in 2025, with Prime Minister Netanyahu confirming that these “battle-proven" systems performed well. Key Israeli-origin assets included SPICE precision-guided kits, HARPY and Harop “kamikaze" drones, Barak-8 air defense systems, and Heron UAVs.

HARPY & Harop Drones: Used by India to intercept Pakistani missiles and destroy radar-emitting targets and air defense infrastructure, including in Lahore.

SPICE (Smart, Precise Impact and Cost Effective) Kits: Supplied by Rafael, these were used to convert conventional bombs into precision-guided munitions.

Barak-8 Missiles: Jointly developed with Israel, these provided a critical integrated air defence shield.

SkyStriker Drones: Manufactured in Bengaluru through a joint venture between India’s Alpha Design and Israel’s Elbit Security Systems, these loitering munitions were also deployed.

Rampage Missiles: Utilized for deep-penetration strikes.

With Agency Inputs

News explainers India’s ‘Blue Sparrow’? Rocks To Golden Horizon, How New Delhi Is Using Israeli Missile Technology

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