The Indian Air Force (IAF) is planning to purchase Russia’s lethal R-37M air-to-air hypersonic missiles.
Published: August 9, 2025 11:11 PM IST
After annihilating Pakistani military infrastructure, and destroying at least five enemy fighter jets as well as one large aircraft during Operation Sindoor, the Indian Air Force (IAF) is now planning to equip its trusted Sukhoi Su-30 MKI fighter jets with an even more deadlier weapon which can shoot down enemy fighters from a distance of 300 kilometers.
According to media reports, the IAF is planning to purchase Russia’s lethal R-37M air-to-air hypersonic missiles that can reach speeds of up to Mach 6 (6 times the speed of sound), and boast a range of over 300 km.
What makes the R-37 missile lethal?
Russia’s long-range hypersonic Vympel R-37M missile has been aptly dubbed the ‘aerial hunter’ by defence experts as the deadly projectile rushes towards its target at blinding speeds, and has a range of over 300 kilometers, making it highly difficult for even the most advanced fighter aircraft to detect or evade once it has been locked on.
Additionally, the R-37M missile allows mid-flight course correction, ensuring a precision strike each time it is fired.
The R-37M missile weighs around 510 kg, measures over 4 meters in length, and carries a warhead weighing up to 60 kg. The R-37M, known as AA-13 Axehead among NATO countries, is a Beyond Visual Range (BVR) missile, which means it can be fired without the target being in visual range of the fighter aircraft.
How R-37M missiles would boost IAF’s offensive strength?
Russia has offered to supply the R-37M missiles to India and also manufacture the weapon in India, along with technology transfer, Zee News reported. The deal would give a major boost to IAF offensive capabilities and an advantage over regional rivals, especially China and Pakistan.
The IAF aims to equip its Russian-made Su-30MKI fighter jets, which are currently deployed with R-77 missiles, with the R-37M missiles, as the latter offers a massive upgrade in speed, stealth, and precision.
Why China and Pakistan would be in trouble?
Additionally, the R-37M missiles are designed to target AWACS and refueling aircraft, making Pakistan’s air surveillance systems vulnerable to Indian aerial attacks when the IAF deploys them.
The long-range missile will enable IAF fighter jets to shoot down enemy aircraft without venturing into contested airspace, ensuring that Indian jets do not come into the range of enemy air defense systems.
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