Now Reading: India buys $1.2 billion Russian missiles to counter Chinese weapons
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India buys $1.2 billion Russian missiles to counter Chinese weapons
India buys $1.2 billion Russian missiles to counter Chinese weapons
India has reportedly signed a deal to buy around 300 R-37M ultra-long-range air-to-air missiles from Russia in a deal worth $1.2 billion, according to media reports. The missile is among the longest-range…
India has reportedly signed a deal to buy around 300 R-37M ultra-long-range air-to-air missiles from Russia in a deal worth $1.2 billion, according to media reports. The missile is among the longest-range air-to-air missiles in the world, with an operational range of 300-400 km, and can travel at six times the speed of sound.
Designed to target support aircraft such as airborne early-warning and tanker planes, the R-37M can be launched from the Indian Air Force's Su-30MKI fighters. Deliveries could begin within 12 to 18 months, according to Malaysia-based Defence Security Asia. India is also developing its own Astra Mk 2 and Mk 3 missiles, expected to be ready around the same time.
Indian Opinion Analysis
The R-37M deal addresses a critical gap for the Indian Air Force: the ability to destroy enemy airborne early-warning aircraft and aerial refuellers from stand-off range. Pakistan operates Chinese-made ZDK-03 and Saab 2000 early-warning planes, and China fields the KJ-500. Taking out these platforms would blind an adversary's air battle management. The Indian Air Force's Su-30MKI fleet is the natural launch platform, and the reported 12-18 month delivery timeline is aggressive for Russian defence exports, which have faced sanctions-driven production delays. Parallel development of the indigenous Astra Mk 3, with a similar 300 km-plus range, signals a hedge against future supply uncertainty. The actual integration and combat effectiveness will be watched closely as deliveries commence.
The R-37M deal addresses a critical gap for the Indian Air Force: the ability to destroy enemy airborne early-warning aircraft and aerial refuellers from stand-off range.
Source: scmp.com
This story was synthesised by AI from the source linked above.
