Latest news with #R-37M
India.com
4 days ago
- Science
- India.com
China Triggers Alarm With 1,000 KM Range Air-To-Air Hypersonic Missile; Who Should Be Worried?
Beijing: China has reportedly tested an air-to-air missile capable of striking aerial targets at a distance of up to 1,000 kilometres. It has sent ripples across the global defense community. If accurate, the test could signal a fundamental shift in modern air combat strategy. It will potentially allow fighter jets to neutralise enemy aircraft long before they even come into radar range. The development was first reported by South China Morning Post, citing Chinese military sources. According to the report, the missile reaches speeds beyond Mach 5. It has placed it in the hypersonic category. It is designed to intercept high-value aerial targets, including stealth fighters and surveillance aircraft. Chinese engineers are said to be working on this new system with the aim of providing long-range superiority across contested airspaces. Still unnamed publicly, the project may allow China to target aircraft such as the U.S. F-22 Raptor, F-35 stealth fighters and the B-21 Raider well before they enter engagement range. Missiles of this class are typically referred to as Beyond Visual Range (BVR) air-to-air missiles. They form a critical part of next-generation aerial warfare. Until now, the longest-range BVR missiles in service globally include Russia's R-37M and the U.S. AIM-174B. Both are capable of reaching distances around 350-400 kilometres. Presently under development, India's Astra Mk-3 is expected to match that range once deployed. However, a 1,000-kilometre air-to-air missile would outclass all existing systems. Experts say that if China's claims are validated, the development could force countries like India, Japan, Taiwan and even the United States to re-evaluate their air combat doctrines. No matter how stealthy, no fighter jet could escape a missile launched from that distance. The implications are serious, assuming tracking and targeting systems remain precise. Historically, air-to-air missiles have evolved from short-range weapons introduced in the 1950s, such as the U.S. AIM-9 Sidewinder and the Soviet K-series, to the BVR missiles of today. The modern battlefield increasingly depends on aerial platforms like AWACS and AEW&CS for surveillance and coordination. A missile capable of striking these assets from such vast ranges could potentially change the outcome of future conflicts before they even escalate. India, which currently fields the Astra Mk-1 and is working on Astra Mk-2 and Mk-3, faces a widening gap in this segment. While the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has made consistent progress, there are calls within India's strategic community to accelerate indigenous hypersonic missile development. In addition, India may need to invest more heavily in advanced radar systems and tracking sensors, potentially through ISRO-DRDO collaboration, to detect and respond to threats launched from long distances at high speeds. As per the latest assessments, India's current missile capabilities are limited to around 400 kilometres in range. While the Chinese claim has not yet been independently verified, military analysts suggest it would be prudent for India to consider the scenario as credible and prepare accordingly. The development comes at a time when tensions remain high in East Asia, particularly around Taiwan and the South China Sea. If China's new missile enters operational service, it could give the country significant leverage across the region, including air dominance over key hotspots. Though the precise operational status of the missile remains unclear, the signal from Beijing is loud enough. Nations dependent on legacy BVR systems now face pressure to catch up, both in terms of range and speed, before the skies become inaccessible.
India.com
21-07-2025
- India.com
India's ASTRA, China's PL-15 missile, USA' AMRAAM: List of world's top 7 air-to-air missiles, 4th will surprise you
AIM-120 AMRAAM (USA) Top 7 Missiles: The recent conflicts across the world including the Russia-Ukraine war, Iran-Israel war and the Pakistan-India conflict have taught us the important of air superiority. As a significant part of air superiority, Air-to-air missiles are a crucial part of modern air combat. As part of the air combat, allowing fighter jets to destroy enemy aircraft before they even appear on radar has been the level at which countries fight in air. However, do you know about the missiles which are known across the world for their high-speed, high-precision weapons. Here is an article listing the top 7 air-to-air missiles in the world and highlights India's position among them. Which are the Top 7 Missiles of the world: AIM-120 AMRAAM (USA): The AIM-120 AMRAAM of USA is America's second most powerful Beyond Visual Range missile with much longer range, equipped with a better guidance system. Meteor (Europe): The Meteor missile of Europe is a radar-guided beyond visual range air-to-air missile. Developed by MBDA for European nations, the missile is known for its beyond-visual-range capability and 'no escape' zone, used by Rafale and Eurofighter Typhoon. Notably, the The Indian Air Force also uses the Meteor missile. R-37M missile (Russia): The R-37M missile of Russia is a long-range, fast and potentially lethal missile. However, its combat effectiveness is still uncertain. PL-15 (China): Also called the Thunderbolt 15 missile, the PL-15 is a powerful missile equipped with AESA radar and reportedly outranges many Western counterparts. The missile considered to have the longest range among the currently operated air-to-air missiles and is currently used on China's J-20 stealth fighter. IRIS-T (Germany): The IRIS-T missile of Germany is a short-range missile new generation air-to-air missile manufactured with high agility and precision. It complements the Meteor in European forces. Python-5 (Israel): The Python-5 missile of Israel is an advanced short-range missile with with an advanced electro-optical seeker. Notably, India has integrated it with its aircraft. Astra (India): Developed by India's Defence Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), the Astra missile is India's indigenous beyond-visual-range missile, competing with some of the best in the world and is now part of the IAF's arsenal.
Time of India
01-07-2025
- Business
- Time of India
India's Reach Now Deep Into China, Pak As Russia Offers Deadly R37M Hypersonic Missile
India's Reach Now Deep Into China, Pak As Russia Offers Deadly R37M Hypersonic Missile Source: India is set to boost its aerial combat power by arming Su-30MKI fighter jets with the Russian R-37M hypersonic air-to-air missile. Capable of reaching speeds over Mach 6 and striking targets up to 300 km away, the R-37M is among the longest-range missiles globally. This move enhances India's beyond-visual-range capabilities, posing a serious threat to enemy support aircraft. Russia has offered local production and technology transfer, aligning with India's Make in India goals. The missile may also be integrated into MiG-29 jets, reinforcing the Indo-Russian defence partnership.#sukhoi #india #china #pakistan #russia #airforce #missile #defence #military #technology #aviation #weapons #geopolitics #security #aircraft #fighterjet #airpower #strategic #internationalrelations #toi #toibharat
India.com
30-06-2025
- Business
- India.com
India Fears No One, Replies Trump's Betrayal With Prepping Major S-400, R-37M, Su-30MKI Jet Deal With Russia
New Delhi/Moscow: The handshake between India and Russia is turning heavier. This time, with iron, radar and a warning wrapped in precision. At the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) meet in Qingdao, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh sat down with his Russian counterpart, Andrei Belousov. It was not a symbolic meeting. It was a strategic signal. A decision point. India is preparing to scale up its air dominance, and fast. From air-to-air missiles to deep radar upgrades, the Indian Air Force is moving into a new phase. The plan? To enhance its Su-30MKI fighters with Russian R-37M missiles and AESA radar, with a production line in India itself. No middlemen. No delays. This is not just another defence conversation. This is about a country that faced a diplomatic cold shoulder during Operation Sindoor, where Su-30s fired BrahMos deep into Pakistani territory. The message was loud. But the silence from Washington was louder. So now, India pivots. Not away from old friends. But toward an older one – Moscow. Talks are underway not only to bring R-37M missiles to Indian runways, but also to jointly produce them under the 'Make in India' banner. Local assembly, faster deployment and – if needed – export. Russia has offered more than just hardware. It has offered codes, cooperation and trust. India, unlike with France's Rafale jets, can integrate its own radar and missiles into the Su-30s. Because Russia says yes, where others stall. The upgrades will not just be cosmetic. The Su-30MKI, already a backbone, will get its bite. Virupaksha AESA radars – made in India for wars – will soon see light. With over 2,400 GaN modules, it will spot targets from 600 km away. But retrofitting it into the ageing Su-30s needs help. And Russia, as the original maker, holds the keys. A match of sensor and steel, radar and reach. If successful, every Su-30MKI will carry long-range R-37Ms. Each with a kill distance of over 300 km. Each a message to the skies and to those watching from afar. Experts say the entire architecture is being reworked. From sensors to satellite links. From the S-400s to airborne warning systems. A kill chain is forming – quiet, connected and deadly. This partnership is no longer transactional. It is a transformation. India is not buying gear. It is building muscle. With Russia's codes, India writes its own. In that, lies the real shift. A response, not in words. But in weapons.
India.com
05-06-2025
- General
- India.com
Meet R-37M missile, which India is planning to buy, can destroy Pakistan's AWACS, F-16s before they..., tension for China due to...
New Delhi: After Operation Sindoor, where India destroyed 9 terror bases in Pakistan and PoK killing hundreds of dreaded terrorists, the arms race across the globe has escalated. According to the reports, India is likely to acquire a deadly weapon that could rewrite South Asia's air warfare equation. The name of the weapon is the Russian R-37M missile, a long-range air-to-air beast so fast and deadly that even the United States and China are known to shudder at its capabilities. Reports further added that the Putin administration has offered India to supply the R-37M and license its production on Indian soil. If the deal goes through, the Indian Air Force (IAF) will gain a powerful edge over adversaries such as China and Pakistan in high-stakes aerial confrontations. It is important to note that the R-37M is far more powerful than Pakistan's F-16s and AWACS. The missile is made to destroy enemy aircraft from beyond visual range (BVR), it can take down Pakistan's prized F-16s and AWACS surveillance aircraft before they even detect an Indian fighter jet. 'It's not a missile but an airborne predator. It allows India to destroy enemy aircraft without ever entering their strike zone. That flips the entire doctrine of air combat,' said a senior defense analyst. Here are some of the key features of the missile: The R-37M has speeds of up to Mach 6 six times the speed of sound The R-37M can strike targets more than 300 kilometers away. Its mid-flight target switch capability and active radar guidance system make it almost impossible to dodge, even for highly maneuverable jets. Currently, the IAF deploys R-77 missiles on its Su-30MKI jets. Reports suggest that the R-37M could replace the R-77 entirely, offering a dramatic leap in range, speed and precision. The R-37M's induction into India's arsenal would render Pakistan's air surveillance systems deeply vulnerable. R-37M has a speed – Up to Mach 6 (7,400 km/h); range – estimated 300-400 km; weight – 510 kg, length – over four metres; warhead – 60 kg high-explosive; designation – NATO calls it the AA-13 Axehead; and targets – fighter jets, AWACS, drones and tanker aircraft. Unlike previous systems, the R-37M doesn't require visual confirmation to engage. It can lock onto targets well beyond the range of enemy radars or weapons, delivering strikes from safe, stand-off distances. For Indian pilots, this means they can hit first, from afar, without ever being seen.
