India buys $1.2 billion worth of Russian air-to-air missiles

NEW DELHI, May 5 (YPA) – India signed an agreement with Russia for the supply of 300 R-37M long-range air-to-air missiles, worth $1.2 billion.

 

According to the Indian magazine “India Today,” the agreement stipulates that the Indian Air Force will receive the first batch of missiles within a year and a half of the signing date.

 

The magazine quoted a comment describing the deal as “a breakthrough, not just an upgrade,” adding: “Our pilots will no longer need to shoot down enemy fighters. Thanks to the R-37M, we will destroy enemy radars and aerial refueling tanks, and then enemy fighters will not dare to test our air superiority.”

 

The Indian Air Force plans to use 37-R missiles on its Su-30MKI fighter jets, of which New Delhi has the world’s largest fleet with more than 250 aircraft. However, operating the new weapon requires upgrading these fighters.

 

It is worth noting that the 37-R missile shot down the majority of Ukrainian aerial targets during the war.