The Indian Air Force (IAF): Russia has reportedly offered to supply India with the advanced R-37M long-range hypersonic air-to-air missile. Designed by the Vympel Design Bureau and known by its NATO designation “AA-13 Axehead,” the R-37M is among the most formidable air-to-air missiles in the world today. Capable of striking targets at distances between 300 and 400 kilometres while flying at speeds exceeding Mach 6, the R-37M represents a significant leap in aerial combat capability.
The offer has surfaced in a confluence of military media reports, online defence forums, and think tank analyses. If accepted, the integration of the R-37M into India’s frontline fleet of Su-30MKI multirole fighter jets could alter the strategic balance in South Asia, especially amid persistent tensions with Pakistan and growing concern over China’s rising air power.
India and Russia have a decades-old defence relationship that spans aircraft, tanks, missiles, and submarines. The Su-30MKI, a customized variant of Russia’s Su-30 fighter, is the cornerstone of the IAF’s combat fleet with over 272 aircraft inducted. Russia’s offer to equip these fighters with the R-37M aligns with India’s ongoing plans to modernize the platform under the “Super Sukhoi” upgrade program.
Sources suggest that the R-37M offer includes not only the supply of the missiles but also potential local manufacturing under the “Make in India” initiative. This aligns with New Delhi’s policy of reducing dependence on foreign arms imports and enhancing domestic defence production capabilities. Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), the state-owned aerospace and defence company, is expected to be involved should the proposal advance to an implementation phase.
The move also underscores Moscow’s willingness to strengthen military ties with New Delhi despite growing Indian engagement with Western powers, especially the United States and France. With several high-profile Russian defence exports facing sanctions or international scrutiny due to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, India remains a crucial partner for Russia’s defence industry.
The R-37M missile is a technological marvel. At nearly 4.2 meters in length and weighing approximately 510 kilograms, it is one of the largest and heaviest air-to-air missiles in operational use. It is equipped with a 60-kilogram high-explosive fragmentation warhead capable of destroying heavily defended or high-value targets in a single strike.
Its chief asset lies in its range and velocity. Unlike conventional beyond-visual-range (BVR) missiles, which typically max out at around 100 to 150 kilometres, the R-37M can engage targets at over 300 kilometres—up to 400 kilometres under optimal conditions. Travelling at hypersonic speeds of approximately 7,400 kilometres per hour (Mach 6), it significantly reduces the adversary’s response time.
Furthermore, the R-37M features advanced inertial navigation and mid-course guidance updates provided by the launch aircraft, followed by an active radar seeker in its terminal phase. This fire-and-forget capability means once the missile is launched and the target is locked, the pilot is free to maneuver or engage other threats, enhancing survivability and multi-target engagement.
India’s interest in long-range air-to-air missiles intensified after the 2019 Balakot airstrike and the subsequent aerial engagement with Pakistan. During the dogfight that followed the IAF’s strike on a terrorist camp in Balakot, a MiG-21 Bison piloted by Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman was shot down by a Pakistani F-16, which reportedly used a U.S.-supplied AIM-120C AMRAAM missile.
With the AMRAAM’s range of over 100 kilometres, Pakistani fighters could potentially strike from beyond the engagement envelope of India’s R-77 missiles. This incident exposed a capability gap that Indian defence planners have since sought to address. While newer missiles such as the Astra Mk-2 and future Astra Mk-3 are in development domestically, they still fall short of the R-37M’s extraordinary reach.
The introduction of the R-37M would allow Indian pilots to fire at high-value targets like AWACS (Airborne Warning and Control Systems), refuelling tankers, or command aircraft from deep within Indian airspace—far beyond the reach of most enemy interceptors or surface-to-air defences.
China’s People’s Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) is rapidly modernizing, deploying cutting-edge fighters like the J-10C, J-16, and fifth-generation J-20 stealth aircraft. Many of these platforms are equipped with the PL-15, a Chinese-developed BVR missile boasting a range of 200-300 kilometres and active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar guidance.
Given the growing Chinese presence along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) and recent confrontations in eastern Ladakh, the R-37M’s acquisition is viewed by Indian defence planners as a deterrent against Chinese air superiority. With the R-37M’s extended range and speed, Indian pilots could theoretically neutralize or disrupt high-value Chinese aircraft even before they reach the LAC.
Strategically, this changes the nature of aerial engagement. Instead of focusing solely on dogfighting or short-range missile duels, the IAF could target the very backbone of an enemy air campaign—its command, control, and logistics aircraft.
While the missile’s capabilities are impressive, integrating the R-37M onto the Su-30MKI platform is not without technical challenges. The current N011M Bars radar fitted on the Su-30MKI has a detection range of approximately 200 kilometres for fighter-sized targets. To fully exploit the R-37M’s 400-kilometre range, the aircraft’s radar and avionics systems would need to be significantly upgraded.
This is where the planned “Super Sukhoi” upgrade comes into play. Under this program, the Su-30MKI is set to receive modern AESA radar systems, possibly the Uttam AESA developed by DRDO, and new electronic warfare suites. These upgrades would not only extend radar detection range but also improve missile targeting and resistance to jamming.
Furthermore, the R-37M’s physical size means it cannot be carried in large numbers. Typically, only two R-37Ms can be mounted on an aircraft without compromising performance or fuel capacity. However, their ability to destroy high-value targets means even limited deployment can have a disproportionately large impact.
Since 2019, Russia has deployed the R-37M in its aerial operations during the war in Ukraine. The missile has been launched from Su-35S, Su-30SM2, and MiG-31BM aircraft. Notably, in early 2024, the missile reportedly achieved a long-range kill against a Ukrainian MiG-29 at a distance of 213 kilometres, highlighting its operational effectiveness in real combat scenarios.
While the missile has not amassed a large number of confirmed kills, analysts note that its mere presence forces adversary aircraft to adopt defensive maneuvers or abort missions altogether. In warfare, disrupting enemy operations and degrading morale can be as strategically valuable as direct destruction.
The R-37M’s use in Ukraine also underscores its reliability and maturity as a weapons system. Despite operating in a highly contested electronic warfare environment, the missile has demonstrated functionality, resilience, and intimidation value—an important consideration for any prospective buyer.
India has made significant progress in developing its indigenous missile arsenal, including the Astra Mk-1 BVR missile, which has already been inducted. Astra Mk-2 and Mk-3 variants are under development, expected to achieve ranges of 160 and 350 kilometres respectively.
However, until these systems are fully developed and deployed, the R-37M offers a ready-made solution to bridge the long-range air-to-air gap. Even once Astra Mk-3 becomes operational, R-37M’s proven combat performance, higher kinetic energy due to its mass and speed, and potential integration with upgraded platforms may still justify its continued use.
Moreover, the option to co-produce the R-37M domestically could allow India to learn from Russian design philosophies, accelerating its own advanced missile programs.
Russia’s offer to India also comes at a critical time in global geopolitics. The West, particularly the U.S. and European Union, has placed restrictions on arms cooperation with Moscow due to its war in Ukraine. By continuing defence cooperation with India, Russia not only retains one of its largest arms clients but also counters narratives of its global isolation.
For India, the decision to move ahead with this proposal will involve careful balancing. While New Delhi continues to expand defence ties with the U.S., France, and Israel, it has also maintained its strategic autonomy by continuing legacy partnerships with Russia. Acquiring the R-37M from Moscow while also developing indigenous and Western systems allows India to hedge its bets in an increasingly multipolar and unpredictable security environment.
The offer to equip India’s Su-30MKI fleet with the R-37M hypersonic missile is not just a technological upgrade—it is a strategic opportunity. With a vast range, blistering speed, and the ability to target enemy aircraft long before they become a threat, the R-37M could significantly bolster the IAF’s deterrence posture.
However, the decision will require thorough evaluation—balancing geopolitical ramifications, financial costs, integration challenges, and India’s broader push for indigenous defence manufacturing.
