Pakistan Air Force | News & Discussions

[Ali Yusuf]

I thought there was another kill by Russians against Ukraine that was over 217km…pls check

This one I guess .....

The Russian Air Force Su-57 with an R-37M took down the Ukrainian Sukhoi-27 from a range of 217km (about 140 miles) in 2022, most likely making it the kill the longest BVR kill on record.

Source

 

[PakistaniDefender]

This one I guess .....

The Russian Air Force Su-57 with an R-37M took down the Ukrainian Sukhoi-27 from a range of 217km (about 140 miles) in 2022, most likely making it the kill the longest BVR kill on record.

Source

What if India gets that missile. Gonna be a problem then

 

[Ali Yusuf]

What if India gets that missile. Gonna be a problem then

The fighters that can launch this missile are .....

1) MiG-31BM
2) Su-35S
3) Su-57

 

[PakistaniDefender]

The fighters that can launch this missile are .....

1) MiG-31BM
2) Su-35S
3) Su-57

What about SU 30MKI. I have heard it has a powerful radar. Also there is a possibility of intergerating it with Super Sukhoi if India goes with the upgrade

 

[Yasser76]

What about SU 30MKI. I have heard it has a powerful radar. Also there is a possibility of intergerating it with Super Sukhoi if India goes with the upgrade

Radar on the MKI is dates, late 80s/early 90s tech. We jammed it on 2019 and May by all accounts

 

[Ali Yusuf]

Radar on the MKI is dates, late 80s/early 90s tech. We jammed it on 2019 and May by all accounts

The R-37M (RVV-BD) was originally designed around the MiG-31BM’s Zaslon-AM radar and fire-control system, and later adapted for use on the Su-35S and Su-57.

For a Su-30MKI to launch an R-37M, several major things would have to happen:

1. Radar compatibility –
   The MKI’s N011M Bars radar would need software changes to detect, track, and generate mid-course guidance updates for the R-37M. Since the missile uses an active radar seeker for terminal homing but relies on the launching aircraft for initial target data and mid-course corrections, this is essential.
2. Mission computer and software integration –
   The aircraft’s mission computer must be updated to handle the missile’s weapon profile, including ballistic trajectory prediction, guidance datalink protocols, and launch envelope logic.
3. Pylon and wiring changes –
   The R-37M uses MIL-STD-1553B or the Russian equivalent weapon interfaces. The Su-30MKI would need the proper launcher rails (typically AKU-620 for R-37M) and electrical/data bus compatibility.
4. Preferrably, more powerful engines to accommodate a more powerful radar to utilize the full potential range of the R-37M missile. MiG-31BM, Su-35S, and Su-57 have more powerful radars and engines than the Su-30MKI.

Bottom line:
Yes — technically, a Su-30MKI could be modified to launch the R-37M, but it’s not a “little tweak.” It’s a significant upgrade and integration program involving engines, radar, mission software, and datalink. Without official Russian cooperation or independent reverse-engineering, the MKI cannot simply “plug and play” the missile.

 

[Oscar]

View attachment 139563

Completely wrong about the bottom one
F-15s were never equipped with Phoenix .

 

[Oscar]

The R-37M (RVV-BD) was originally designed around the MiG-31BM’s Zaslon-AM radar and fire-control system, and later adapted for use on the Su-35S and Su-57.

For a Su-30MKI to launch an R-37M, several major things would have to happen:

1. Radar compatibility –
   The MKI’s N011M Bars radar would need software changes to detect, track, and generate mid-course guidance updates for the R-37M. Since the missile uses an active radar seeker for terminal homing but relies on the launching aircraft for initial target data and mid-course corrections, this is essential.
2. Mission computer and software integration –
   The aircraft’s mission computer must be updated to handle the missile’s weapon profile, including ballistic trajectory prediction, guidance datalink protocols, and launch envelope logic.
3. Pylon and wiring changes –
   The R-37M uses MIL-STD-1553B or the Russian equivalent weapon interfaces. The Su-30MKI would need the proper launcher rails (typically AKU-620 for R-37M) and electrical/data bus compatibility.
4. Preferrably, more powerful engines to accommodate a more powerful radar to utilize the full potential range of the R-37M missile. MiG-31BM, Su-35S, and Su-57 have more powerful radars and engines than the Su-30MKI.

Bottom line:
Yes — technically, a Su-30MKI could be modified to launch the R-37M, but it’s not a “little tweak.” It’s a significant upgrade and integration program involving engines, radar, mission software, and datalink. Without official Russian cooperation or independent reverse-engineering, the MKI cannot simply “plug and play” the missile.

MKIs are slated to get a local radar which could be easier to modify to launch the R-37M but there is no need to.
They have a good roadmap with the Astra series - but this being India their drive on the roadmap resembles that of a drunk driver hitting every sign and going offroad - unfortunately because they have the competent people and knowledge base to build it - just not the culture or system to enable it.

 

[Metal 0-1]

Agree, but now maybe the very notion of point defence needs redefining no?

If it will be Bhramos or SCALP attacks and not heavily laden Jaguars with PGMs one sees little use of what was admittedly a good little fighter in its time

F-7s can carry CBU cluster munitions. So they're still relevant as CAS platforms. And lobbing rocket tactics we've seen Russo-Ukraine war.

 

[Toxic]

F-7s can carry CBU cluster munitions. So they're still relevant as CAS platforms. And lobbing rocket tactics we've seen Russo-Ukraine war.

Lobbing rockets aka the most ineffective tactic of the war, using F-7s in a CAS role isn't worth the risk of losing the pilots flying them low and slow over MANPAD territory.

 

[Metal 0-1]

Lobbing rockets aka the most ineffective tactic of the war, using F-7s in a CAS role isn't worth the risk of losing the pilots flying them low and slow over MANPAD territory.

In all out war, there will be a point soon enough. Both sides will be lobbing rockets. From both air and ground.


CAS does involves inherent risk of manpads. That's exactly what Close Air Support is

 

[Toxic]

In all out war, there will be a point soon enough. Both sides will be lobbing rockets. From both air and ground

No they wouldn't, no point in comparing the airforces of Ukraine and Pakistan, we don't have SU-25 style CAS aircraft even our mirages can carry PGM's how many Ukrainian aircraft can carry guided munitions? Maybe 40? SU-25 have no function beyond being flying grad launchers.

 

[Scorpio]

 

[Metal 0-1]

SU-25 have no function beyond being flying grad launchers.

Ukrainian Su-25 Seen Armed with AASM Hammer Bombs in Video for the First Time

The Ukrainian Su-25s started using the French-made AASM Hammer guided bombs in June 2024, as the stocks of Soviet-made unguided munitions were depleted

theaviationist.com

No they wouldn't,

How much stocks of precision bombs and cruise missiles does Pakistan have? Not alot

 

[Toxic]

Ukrainian Su-25 Seen Armed with AASM Hammer Bombs in Video for the First Time

The Ukrainian Su-25s started using the French-made AASM Hammer guided bombs in June 2024, as the stocks of Soviet-made unguided munitions were depleted

theaviationist.com

How much stocks of precision bombs and cruise missiles does Pakistan have? Not alot

PGMs? Probably several thousands and maybe few hundred cruise missiles, thousands more PGMs can be purchased in an emergency from China since they are already integrated on JF-17s and mirages plus production of local PGMs can be ramped up