Russia has cleared the export of around 300 R-37M ultra-long-range air-to-air missiles to India in a US$1.2 billion deal, according to media reports. Malaysia-based Defence Security Asia said deliveries could begin within 12 to 18 months. The missiles can target Pakistani support planes such as surveillance and refuelling aircraft.
Russia has cleared the export of around 300 R-37M ultra-long-range air-to-air missiles to India in a US$1.2 billion deal, according to media reports. Malaysia-based news platform Defence Security Asia said deliveries of the missiles could begin within 12 to 18 months.
The R-37M is among the longest-range air-to-air missiles, with an operational range of around 300-400 km (185-250 miles), according to Russia. It can travel at six times the speed of sound and is designed to be launched from Russian Su-30MKI fighters, a mainstay of the Indian Air Force, to target airborne early-warning and tanker aircraft.
India is also developing its own Astra Mk 2 and Mk 3 missiles, which are expected to be ready around the same time. The R-37M could serve as a 'force multiplier' allowing New Delhi to counter Pakistani support planes such as surveillance and refuelling aircraft.
The reports come amid India-Pakistan tensions over Kashmir and the China-India border dispute, though specifics of the deal remain unconfirmed by official sources.
