Moscow: In a major step that promises to boost India’s defense capabilities, Russia has reportedly offered the R-37M missile, one of the world’s best air-to-air missiles, to India. The R-37M will now replace the R-77 air-to-air missile currently used by the Indian Air Force. The R-77, which is a key weapon of the Sukhoi Su-30MKI fighter jets in the Indian Air Force, is also purchased for Russia. Reports suggest that Russia has offer India a license for the production of the R-37M missile, paving the way for its manufacturing in India. If the deal materializes, it will significantly enhance the combat capabilities of the Indian Air Force.

According to the developers, the R-37M missile can reach speeds of up to Mach 6, making it a hypersonic weapon. The speed allows the missile to effectively target and engage fast-moving aerial threats. It has a cylindrical design with an ogive fairing.

The missile weighs approximately 510 kilograms and has a length of over 4 meters, carrying a 60-kilogram warhead. The R-37M features an inertial navigation guidance system, which also allows mid-course target updates.

The R-37M missile promises to strengthen India’s defense capabilities and a major threat to the Pakistani Air Force’s F-16s. It is important to note that the Pakistani Air Force is entirely reliant on F-16 fighter jets for its aerial strength. and these jets are considered its most advanced aircraft. In this scenario, the Russian R-37M missile can easily target Pakistani F-16 fighter jets from across the Line of Control (LoC).