IAI drums up interest in new Wind Demon missile

IAI is positioning its new Wind Demon cruise missile for customers in the Asia-Pacific region. (Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI))

Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) displayed its new Wind Demon air-to-surface missile during the recently concluded Asian Defense and Security Exhibition (ADAS) in Manila, in an effort to increase Philippine and regional interest in the missile, a company executive said.

Unveiled in July 2024, the Wind Demon is an electro-optic (EO) cruise missile that can be launched from various aircraft including rotary-wing platforms, according to IAI.

Maxim Zemer, IAI's senior vice-president of marketing for Asia and Africa, told Janes on 1 October that the presence of the missile and other IAI weapons and products on display at ADAS 2024 were part of a wider bid to strengthen exports to the Philippines and other Asian countries.

“When we considered our focus for the exhibition, we displayed products with regard to the Philippines but also aimed at other countries in Asia,” Zemer said.

According to an IAI press release, development of the Wind Demon was driven by a review that “highlighted the need for large quantities of effective ammunition and yet an affordable solution that can neutralise a wide range of targets using minimal resources at greater ranges”.

On its website, the company said that Wind Demon follows a predetermined mission plan to attack moving or stationary targets following launch, and strike targets at ranges exceeding 200 km.