India has signed a contract worth more than $1 billion to acquire a large batch of R-37M missile from Russia, according to a report by the South China Morning Post.
The agreement covers approximately 300 missiles, valued at around $1.2 billion, with deliveries expected to begin within 12 to 18 months.
The missiles are set to be deployed on India’s Su-30MKI aircraft, which, alongside the French-made Dassault Rafale, form the backbone of the country’s air force capabilities.
The deal comes amid reports that India may cancel a planned purchase of 114 Rafale jets. The issue is said to stem from France’s refusal to grant access to key electronic systems, which India seeks in order to integrate its domestically developed Astra Mk1 missiles. These missiles have already been tested on the Su-30MKI platform.
If the Rafale deal is canceled, it could also result in a reduction in future acquisitions of French-made missile systems, according to the report.
Earlier, the Indian government approved a large-scale procurement package of weapons and military equipment worth about $25 billion, as part of efforts to accelerate the modernization of its armed forces following the conflict with Pakistan and amid ongoing tensions with China.
The package covers all military branches. The Indian Air Force is expected to receive additional S-400 missile system units, medium transport aircraft, and strike unmanned aerial vehicles, along with upgrades and modernization of engines for Su-30MKI fighter jets.
The R-37M is a long-range air-to-air missile and is considered one of the longest-range systems in its class based on open-source data. It has a maximum launch range exceeding 300 kilometers, can reach speeds of up to Mach 6, and is capable of targeting objects traveling at speeds of up to 2,500 km/h.
The missile measures approximately 4.2 meters in length, with a body diameter of 0.38 meters and a launch weight of around 600 kilograms, including a 60-kilogram warhead. It uses a combined guidance system, relying on inertial navigation with radio correction during the midcourse phase and an active radar seeker in the terminal phase.
