US launches new AIM-260 missile to counter Chinese PL-17, India betting on Russian R-37, who will win the race?
New Delhi: The use of Chinese PL-15 air to air missile was seen in the recent India-Pakistan conflict. According to reports, China is currently working on PL-17 and PL-21 air to air missiles, whose capability will be much more than PL-15. At the same time, America has started working on AIM-260 to counter this power of China while India has decided to bet on Russian R-37. The main purpose of these missiles is to destroy the enemy's Airborne Early Warning System (AEW&C) aircraft, tanker aircraft and stealth fighter planes from a very long distance. What is AIM-260 missile?
The US Navy and Air Force have sought about $670.5 million in purchase funding and $687 million in research and development funding for the AIM-260 air-to-air missile in the 2026 budget proposal. This will be the next variant of the AIM-120 AMRAAM missile. According to reports, the AIM-260 will include a ramjet or dual-pulse rocket motor, multi-mode seeker (infrared + active radar), two-way data link and electronic warfare resistant system, which will make it highly lethal and modern.
The report said that it will first be used in America's F-22 Raptor fighter aircraft, but in future it will also be integrated into fighter aircraft like F-35 and F-15EX. The main purpose of AIM-260 is to develop the ability to attack from a longer distance against China's PL series missiles like PL-15, PL-17 and PL-21. AIM-260 vs PL-17 Missiles. When was AIM-260 conceptualised?
It is claimed that with the double-seeker design, both the missile's accuracy and resistance to electronic warfare will be greatly enhanced. In addition, it will make it easier to target targets stealthily with a reduced radar footprint. That is, the US is preparing to integrate it into its stealth fighter aircraft. In February 2025, the US Navy publicly revealed the rendering of the next-generation long-range AIM-260, which gave many details about the external and guidance sections of the missile. Where does PL series stand?
On the other hand, after the PL-15, China has now focused on extremely long-range air-to-air missiles like the PL-17 and PL-21. The PL-17 has been seen on the J-17 fighter jet and its range is believed to be around 400 kilometers, which is more than any current US missile.
The guidance system of PL-17 includes inertial navigation, satellite guidance, data link and active radar seeker in the terminal phase. This missile has the capability to shoot down enemy AEW&C platforms like Boeing E-3D or Wedgetail without coming face to face.
Recently, China had given PL-15 missiles to Pakistan, which it used against India. After this conflict, the demand for air to air missiles has increased further in the world. China's People's Liberation Army (PLA) is developing very long range air to air missiles (VLRAAM) which can attack targets from a long distance. What about India?
Russia is not behind in this ongoing race between China and America. Russia's R-37M missile already has the capability to strike from 150 to 400 km. This is also a BVR i.e. Beyond Visual Range missile. Russia designed this missile primarily for the MiG-31 interceptor, but now it is also being installed in aircraft like Su-30SM, Su-35S and Su-57. R-37M has advanced technologies like dual-pulse rocket motor, mid-course targeting update and dual-band radar seeker. By using it in the Ukraine war, Russia has been very successful in keeping Ukrainian fighters away from the battlefield.
The Eurasian Times report says that India is talking to Russia to buy R-37M air to air missile. Russia has proposed to India to produce this missile in India itself under Make in India. At present the talks are going on. The report says that India will integrate it in its SU-30MKI fighter aircraft.
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