The Indian Defense Ministry is considering a proposal to equip the IAF’s workhorse jet with the RVV-BD missile ahead of Vladimir Putin’s visit to Delhi
Published 7 Sep, 2026 11:09
| Updated 7 Sep, 2026 14:43
An Su-30MKI aircraft of the Indian Air Force landing at Dimapur airport in India’s northeastern state of Nagaland. (FILE PHOTO) © Caisii Mao/NurPhoto via Getty Images
India is reportedly working on a plan to equip the Indian Air Force’s workhorse Sukhoi-30MKI fighter jets with advanced long-range Russian air-to-air missiles.
The Indian Defense Ministry is expected to consider a proposal to modify the Su-30MKI fleet to carry the Russian RVV BD air-to-air missiles, which can fly at hypersonic speeds and take out targets up to 300 kilometers away, ANI news agency reported.
The RVV BD is the export version of the R-37M missile, one of the world’s longest-range air-to-air missiles. It is designed to shoot down tanker and early warning aircraft past enemy fighter escort from long range. The Defense Acquisition Council meeting on Monday is expected to take up the proposal, the report said, citing sources.
The RVV BD is compatible with Russia’s advanced fifth-generation Su-57 fighter jet – which has already been offered to India.
Russian President Vladimir Putin is set to visit New Delhi later this week for the 18th summit of BRICS nations. A discussion on the possible sale of the Su-57 was on the agenda of the India-Russia Inter-Governmental Commission on Trade, Economic, Scientific, Technological and Cultural Cooperation held last month in Moscow.
New Delhi, which exchanged missile and drone strikes with nuclear-armed neighbor Pakistan last year, is rapidly modernizing its Sukhoi-30s. The planes have been modified to carry the air-launched version of the Brahmos supersonic cruise missile, and their avionics and electronic warfare suites are being upgraded under the ‘Super Sukhoi’ program.
The upgrades have taken on a new urgency as China has moved its J-20 fifth-generation aircraft next to the Indian border in Tibet, and is reportedly planning to transfer its J-35 fifth-generation fighters to Pakistan.
A defense acquisitions panel on Monday, chaired by Defense Minister Rajnath Singh, cleared a slew of proposals worth $11.64 billion to enhance the “war-fighting capability” of the air force, and various systems for the navy and the army.
“This upgrade is going to be formidable,” retired Air Marshal Anil Chopra told RT India.
He said India has been diversifying its defense purchases, but also maintaining strategic autonomy, despite US sanctions.
“Threats are being given to us for purchasing Russian oil and also weapon systems. We’re continuing to upgrade and use the Russian system,” he said. “Ours is a time-tested relationship.”
The Indian Air Force operates about 258 Su-30MKI – an India-specific variant of the multi-role fighter aircraft – and state-owned Hindustan Aeronautics Limited is producing 12 more at its Nashik facility to replace those lost in accidents over the years.
The jets saw action during last year’s clash with Pakistan – which India code-named Operation Sindoor – covering Indian formations and firing Brahmos missiles at Pakistani airbases.
