The enemy becomes clear in the blink of an eye… India is going to buy this anti-kill missile from Russia, Su-30 will become ‘AWACS killer’

India-Russia R-37M missile: There is going to be a big increase in the combat capability of the Indian Air Force. A big defense deal is about to be finalized between India and Russia. Under this deal, India is preparing to buy about 300 R-37M missiles. These are very long range air-to-air missiles, which are considered to be the most dangerous missiles in the Beyond Visual Range category.

According to reports, the R-37M missile has a maximum range of over 300 km, making it the longest-range air-to-air missile in operational service anywhere in the world. Acquiring this missile is a strategic necessity for the Indian Air Force. The R-37M can be launched from the fast and high-flying Su-30MKI platform.

Why is R-37M missile deadly?

The missile can target enemy high-value air assets such as AWACS (Airborne Early Warning and Control System), tankers and stand-off jammers long before they enter Indian airspace. This missile will not require major modifications to the Su-30MKI. This missile is already in use on the Russian Su-30SM, so the IAF fleet only needs to make a small software update to the N011M Bars radar and mission computer to take advantage of it.

The enemy will be killed in the blink of an eye

The IAF’s immediate need for the R-37M stemmed from Operation Vermillion in May 2025, where the IAF Su-30MKI jets were outnumbered by the Pakistani Air Force’s J-10CE fighters, which had PL-15 missiles (180–200 km range). The R-37M will completely change this equation, giving Indian flankers the advantage of “see first, fire first, kill first” decisions at ranges of 250-300 km.

Su-30 will become ‘AWACS killer’

The R-37M’s 300+ km range will force enemy support aircraft like AWACS to remain far away from India’s borders, reducing their support capabilities. A Su-30MKI jet with two R-37M missiles can block entire sectors from enemy AWACS and tankers, directly disrupting enemy attack plans.

Russia is already using

Since this missile is already in use on the Russian Su-30SM, its integration into the Indian Su-30MKI fleet will be fast and straightforward, making it operational within 12 to 18 months of delivery. IDRW quoted an IAF officer as saying that it will still take two years for the indigenous Astra Mk-2 (160+ km) to enter squadron service, and integration of the Meteor on the Rafale is also being delayed.

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In this respect, R-37M is currently the only missile that can neutralize high-value air assets at a range of 250-300 km. Thus, the missile will serve as a temporary capability until India’s indigenous SFDR-based Astra Mk-3 (300+ km class) missile goes into production around 2030-32.