Su-30MKI set for a bigger bite? India weighs 300-km Russian RVV-BD missile upgrade

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Su-30MKI set for a bigger bite? India weighs 300-km Russian RVV-BD missile upgrade​

More than 260 Su-30MKIs are in IAF service, while separate plans are also underway to modernise the fighter fleet and overhaul the aircraft and their AL-31 engines.​

Statesman News Service | New Delhi | September 7, 2026 12:12 pm

Su-30MKI set for a bigger bite? India weighs 300-km Russian RVV-BD missile upgrade


India is considering a major expansion of the Su-30MKI’s air-to-air combat capability, with a proposal to integrate the Russian-origin RVV-BD long-range missile on the Indian Air Force’s frontline fighter aircraft set to come before the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC).

The proposal is expected to be taken up for clearance at a DAC meeting scheduled for Monday, defence sources said. It comes as the Defence Ministry pursues a broader modernisation of the Su-30MKI fleet, including separate upgrade and overhaul programmes.

Su-30MKI missile integration proposal before DAC
The plan would require modifications to the Su-30MKI to accommodate the RVV-BD, a Russian long-range air-to-air weapon intended to engage airborne targets at extended distances.

Firearms & Weapons


The missile family includes variants designed to target aircraft such as Airborne Early Warning and Control platforms and other surveillance aircraft.

The proposed acquisition comes days before Russian President Vladimir Putin is due in India for the BRICS Summit, with defence cooperation expected to feature in engagements between New Delhi and Moscow.

India is hosting the summit in New Delhi on September 12 and 13.

India building longer-range air-to-air arsenal​


The RVV-BD proposal forms part of a wider effort to increase the IAF’s ability to engage hostile aircraft from greater distances.

The Defence Research and Development Organisation is accelerating work on existing and future Astra air-to-air missile variants. Future versions are intended to reach targets beyond 300 km.

India has also placed orders for Meteor air-to-air missiles.

The parallel indigenous and overseas procurement tracks indicate that the Defence Ministry is pursuing multiple options to strengthen the IAF’s air-to-air weapon inventory.

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Over 260 Su-30MKIs form backbone of IAF fighter fleet​

More than 260 Su-30MKIs are currently in IAF service, making the aircraft a central part of India’s combat fleet.

Two separate modernisation projects are also being pursued for the fighters. The planned upgrades are aimed at improving their ability to detect and strike targets at greater distances.

The aircraft were used extensively during Operation Sindoor. According to reports, Su-30MKIs struck multiple Pakistani air bases using long-range air-to-ground weapons, including air-launched BrahMos missiles and Rampage weapons.

The proposed RVV-BD integration would focus instead on strengthening the fighter’s long-range air-to-air role.

Su-30MKI overhaul, AL-31 engine project also under consideration​

The DAC is also expected to consider a project for the overhaul of Su-30MKI fighters by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited, along with work on their AL-31 engines.

HAL is separately likely to receive a significant order for Advanced Light Helicopter Mark-III aircraft.
 
Source:
https://www.thestatesman.com/world/su-30mki-set-for-a-bigger-bite-india-weighs-300-km-russian-rvv-bd-missile-upgrade-1503635556.html
retaxis said:
You forgot to use the favorite word "Game Changer"
Click to expand...
It was a game changer when it was inducted into the IAF around 25 years ago, and at the time, the Su-30MKI was considered one of the most capable 4.5-generation fighters in service.

Unfortunately, similar to the F-15 and F-16, the Su-30MKI did not receive the upgrades it needed to maintain that technological edge over the years.

The Su-30MKI only needs a comprehensive modernisation. With a modern AESA radar, next-generation long-range air-to-air missiles, an improved electronic-warfare suite, upgraded sensors, avionics, data links and mission computers, the Su-30MKI would remain one of the most capable 4.5-generation fighters in service for many years.

At least till 2040.
 

India Buys Over $1B Worth of Russian R-37M Long-Range Missiles for Su-30MKI Fighters​

Ministry of Defense
India has signed a contract worth over $1 billion to purchase a large batch of Russian R-37M long-range missiles.

According to the South China Morning Post, the deal covers about 300 missiles valued at roughly $1.2 billion, with deliveries expected to begin within 12–18 months.

The missiles will be used on India’s Su-30MKI fighter jets, which, along with French Rafale aircraft, form the core of the country’s air force.


The agreement comes amid reports that India may cancel a planned purchase of 114 Rafale jets. The issue reportedly stems from France’s refusal to provide access to key electronic systems, which India wants in order to integrate its domestically developed Astra Mk1 missiles. These missiles have already been tested on the Su-30MKI.

If the Rafale deal is canceled, it could also lead to fewer future purchases of French-made missile systems.

The R-37M air-to-air missile. Photo from open sources.
The R-37M air-to-air missile. Photo from open sources.
Earlier, the Indian government approved a large-scale procurement package of weapons and military equipment worth about $25 billion. The country is accelerating the modernization of its armed forces following the conflict with Pakistan and amid ongoing tensions with China.

The package covers all branches of the military. In particular, the Indian Air Force is expected to receive additional Russian S-400 surface-to-air missile systems, medium transport aircraft, and strike unmanned aerial vehicles.


It also includes the overhaul and modernization of engines for Su-30MKI fighter jets.

R-37M​

The R-37M is a long-range air-to-air missile, considered, based on open-source data, one of the longest-range systems in its class.

Key specifications:

  • Maximum launch range: over 300 km
  • Flight speed: up to Mach 6
  • Maximum target speed: up to 2,500 km/h
  • Length: 4.2 m
  • Body diameter: 0.38 m
  • Launch weight: about 600 kg
  • Warhead weight: 60 kg
The missile uses a combined guidance system: inertial navigation with radio correction during the midcourse phase, and an active radar seeker in the terminal phase.

For more details, the article “R-77-1 and R-37M: ‘Long Arm’ of Russian Aviation That Currently has no Direct Counter” is available here.
militarnyi.com

India Buys Over $1B Worth of Russian R-37M Long-Range Missiles for Su-30MKI Fighters

India has signed a contract worth over $1 billion to purchase a large batch of Russian R-37M long-range missiles.
militarnyi.com militarnyi.com
 
Raj-Hindustani said:
It was a game changer when it was inducted into the IAF around 25 years ago, and at the time, the Su-30MKI was considered one of the most capable 4.5-generation fighters in service.

Unfortunately, similar to the F-15 and F-16, the Su-30MKI did not receive the upgrades it needed to maintain that technological edge over the years.

The Su-30MKI only needs a comprehensive modernisation. With a modern AESA radar, next-generation long-range air-to-air missiles, an improved electronic-warfare suite, upgraded sensors, avionics, data links and mission computers, the Su-30MKI would remain one of the most capable 4.5-generation fighters in service for many years.

At least till 2040.
Click to expand...

MKI si not 4.5 Gen, look up what that actually means
 
Why
Yasser76 said:
MKI si not 4.5 Gen, look up what that actually means
Click to expand...
Why? Is there an official, universally defined classification for 4.5 Gen? because if you are referring to AESA radar, it is a common feature of many 4.5-gen fighters, but it is not what alone makes an aircraft 4.5 generation. and it's not mandatory to have it

Overall avionics, sensors, weapons and flight-control architecture were substantially more advanced than the original 4th-generation baseline.
 
Raj-Hindustani said:
Why

Why? Is there an official, universally defined classification for 4.5 Gen? because if you are referring to AESA radar, it is a common feature of many 4.5-gen fighters, but it is not what alone makes an aircraft 4.5 generation. and it's not mandatory to have it

Overall avionics, sensors, weapons and flight-control architecture were substantially more advanced than the original 4th-generation baseline.
Click to expand...

Buy PL-15, it will be game changer.
 
Bengal71 said:
Buy PL-15, it will be game changer.
Click to expand...
Game changer? Why is R-37 not considered such a game-changing missile, it has been able to shoot down F-16 in Ukraine? Why can't the missile itself be called a game changer?
 
Bengal71 said:
Ok. Happy shooting J-10 with R-37 next time.
Click to expand...
You are saying, like, J10 is an alien aircraft :D and can't be shot...

Because if F-35 can be hit, I don't think - any other aircraft will be left and can't be shot myth.
 
Raj-Hindustani said:
You are saying, like, J10 is an alien aircraft :D and can't be shot...

Because if F-35 can be hit, I don't think - any other aircraft will be left and can't be shot myth.
Click to expand...

I only said happy shooting. You cooked up the rest, insecure much?
 
Raj-Hindustani said:
You are saying, like, J10 is an alien aircraft :D and can't be shot...

Because if F-35 can be hit, I don't think - any other aircraft will be left and can't be shot myth.
Click to expand...

Pakistan will always maintain first shot advantage, the PAF has been clear on that. At best, this missile may pose some threat to the Erieyes only, but the track record of this missile in Ukraine is awful at best anyway. The range, as with all things Russian, is massively inflated and the actual range will be a lot less anyway. We know the numbers for the performance of the radar for the Su30MKI (Raptor of the East/mini-awacs) with its actual performance with 2 x Su30MKI shot down by the PAF to date.

Pakistan can get the required information from Ukraine on the actual field performance of this missile as a matter of course anyway.
 
Russians certainly understand Indians very well. Whenever Russians are desperately short of money, they always manage to make a substantial profit from "shrewd Indians."

Even though Indians have been burned by the Russians countless times, they remain very willing to keep the process going.
 
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