How Russia’s R-37M long-range air-to-air missiles will increase India’s aerial dominance

India is set to buy Russia’s R-37M long-range air-to-air missiles (LRAAM). Reports say New Delhi will acquire around 300 of these missiles from Moscow in a $1.2 billion (Rs 11.4 hundred crore) deal.

The R-37M missiles will enhance India’s aerial capabilities, helping it counter Pakistan’s Chinese-made fighter jets. The South Asian country is also developing its own long-range air-to-air missiles amid increased threats from hostile neighbours like China and Pakistan.

Let’s take a closer look.

Features of Russia’s R-37M missiles

Russia’s R-37M has a range of 300-400 km, making it one of the longest-range air-to-air missiles.

These Russia-made missiles, which weigh around 600 kilogrammes, can strike airborne early-warning and tanker aircraft.

About 4.2 metres long, the R-37M can carry a 60-kilogramme high-explosive fragmentation warhead to strike large airborne targets, as per Malaysia-based news platform Defence Security Asia.

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Also known as “Axehead,” the missiles can travel at speeds up to Mach 6. They can be launched from Russian Su-30MKI fighters, which are used by the Indian Air Force (IAF).

During Operation Sindoor last May, Pakistan deployed Chinese-made PL-15 air-to-air missiles against India’s fighter jets. These missiles, which have a range of around 200 kilometres, are integrated on the Chengdu J-20, J-10C, and Shenyang J-16 fighter jets. The PL-15 is capable of travelling at a speed of Mach 5.

As per the Military Watch magazine, the R-37M’s range is the second longest globally, only behind the rumoured Chinese PL-XX missiles. China’s hypersonic air-to-air missiles are believed to have a potential 800 km range.

India to acquire R-37M missiles

Russia has given a nod to export 300 R-37M ultra-long-range air-to-air missiles to India, as per a report by Defence Security Asia. The deliveries of the weapon are likely to begin within 12 to 18 months.

Russia is reported to have extensively deployed the R-37M missiles in its war with Ukraine.

How India will benefit from R-37M missiles

Russia originally developed the R-37M to target high-value support aircraft deployed behind frontline fighters.

These missiles will help India target airborne early-warning and tanker aircraft, which usually operate far behind defended airspace, without putting its own aircraft in danger, as per the Malaysia-based outlet.

Speaking to South China Morning Post (SCMP), Shounak Set, a research fellow with the South Asia programme at the S Rajaratnam School of International Studies in Singapore, said the R-37M could provide a “significant operational edge”.

“This makes it valuable for interception and for high-value targets, especially for Airborne Warning and Control System assets, rather than dogfighting roles,” Set said.

“In a South Asian context, the R-37M missile shifts the focus from fighter jets to networks and can act as a force multiplier during short high-intensity conflicts, provided it is integrated with the appropriate array of radars, sensors and aircraft.”

With these Russia-made missiles, India can combat Pakistan's Chinese-made aerial weapons, such as J-10C fighters.

Jagannath Panda, head of the Stockholm Centre for South Asian and Indo-Pacific Affairs at the Institute for Security and Development Policy, told SCMP that the R-37M could be an “important counterweight” to Pakistan’s increasing dependency on Chinese systems.

“For India, integrating the R-37M on platforms such as Su-30MKI or other compatible fighters could extend engagement envelopes and complicate Pakistani air planning,” Panda said.

“It may force Pakistan to push critical aircraft farther from the front line, reducing operational efficiency,” he added.

“Against the backdrop of the China-India border dispute, such acquisitions also signal to China that India intends to strengthen long-range air denial capabilities on two fronts.”

The intent to buy R-37M missiles also indicates that India is giving priority to operational capability instead of waiting for indigenous Astra Mk-2 and Astra Mk-3 missiles, as per Defence Security Asia.

Astra Mk-2, which is under development, is expected to have a range beyond 200 km.

India’s next-generation long-range beyond-visual-range (BVR) air-to-air missile, Astra Mk-3 (Gandiva), has a projected range of 340 km.

Around the same time that India acquires the Russian-made R-37M, its homegrown missiles are also expected to become operational.

With inputs from agencies