Crystal Maze, also called Raptor, is Rafael's Indian-market derivative of the Popeye air-to-surface missile family. Open references describe it as a standoff missile with an 80 kg warhead, about 100 km range, and a reported unit cost of roughly US$2 million; reporting also links it to Mirage 2000 strike planning in Balakot and to Operation Sindoor strikes in 2025.
Reportedly fired by Indian forces during Operation Sindoor; Hindustan Times said one Crystal Maze missile was used against Muridke, while other reporting grouped Crystal Maze with India's long-range standoff weapons in the May 2025 strikes.
NDTV reported Crystal Maze as part of the planned Balakot loadout for Mirage 2000 strike jets.
| Compatible item | Item type | Compatibility evidence |
|---|---|---|
 | Strike aircraft | NDTV reported the IAF planned to use Crystal Maze with Mirage 2000 jets in the Balakot strike package. |
 | Guided bomb | NDTV said Crystal Maze was planned in conjunction with SPICE 2000 bombs during the same Balakot mission package. |
CSIS Missile Threat describes Crystal Maze as an Indian-market Popeye derivative developed by Rafael in 2003-2004.
Sources: Popeye
CSIS Missile Threat says India took delivery of Crystal Maze missiles in 2006.
Sources: Popeye
NDTV reported that the IAF planned to use Crystal Maze with Mirage 2000 jets and SPICE 2000 bombs during the Balakot strike package.
Sources: Balakot Mirage 2000 Crystal Maze plan
Indian reporting tied Crystal Maze to the first day of Operation Sindoor, including strikes on Muridke; ORF later estimated a rough per-missile cost from the reported deal size.
Sources: Operation Sindoor was India's first stand-off weapon war, Operation Sindoor: Raising the Cost of Terrorism for Pakistan
Three open-source details help anchor the public record: the Balakot Mirage 2000 loadout, the reported unit-price estimate, and the 2025 Operation Sindoor use.
