Washington: Drawing lessons from the India-Pakistan clashes in May, the United States is preparing to equip its F-35 stealth fighter jets with the advanced European Meteor missile. The move signals an upgrade in air combat capabilities. Europe’s most sophisticated air-to-air missile, the Meteor boasts a range of up to 200 kilometres and is powered by a ramjet engine, creating a ‘no-escape zone’ for enemy aircraft.

Its two-way data link and advanced targeting systems make it one of the most lethal beyond-visual-range air-to-air missiles (BVR AAMs) presently in service.

According to reports, the F-35 Joint Programme Office (JPO) recently completed a series of crucial ground-based integration tests with the Meteor missile and the F-35A fighter. Conducted in collaboration with MBDA and Lock

See Full Page