No. R-37M is vital for MKI to remain effective against J-10CE and PL-15 combo. Plus, with R-37M our air-defence coverage would increase substantially 'cause MKI would work as part of our net-centric IADS which opens up multiple scenario where MKI can ambush PAF HVAs using R-37M even from lower altitudes.
Given our current stance of using the S400's 40N6 as an offensive weapon, could the R-37M integration not be taken at a slower rate? We will probably receive an export variant too. Though while its optimised for taking out HVTs, Pakistan is taller than it is wide, and given that their only real system is the Erieye, the R-37M could be inducted in a more gradual manner, allowing us to maintain operational availability for our fleet given the possibility that India might be able to reclaim PoK.
IAF saw the need for R-37M post skirmish, so there is a definitive need for this. Just consider R-37M as our airborne 40N6, and then even PAF's future KJ-500 fleet is not safe and that too from multiple vectors
That's fair, I'm just more concerned about the possibility of tensions boiling over immediately and how part of our fleet being grounded even temporarily would affect our operational readiness. Had the geopolitical situation been more stable, I would've also been all in on pushing it through ASAP.IAF saw the need for R-37M post skirmish, so there is a definitive need for this. Just consider R-37M as our airborne 40N6, and then even PAF's future KJ-500 fleet is not safe and that too from multiple vectors
On the contrary, IAF would like to implement fleet while upgrade due to current geo-political conditions and threat of war with Pakistan looming due to our abeyance of IWT. IAF know this hence they want induction of R-37M on to our MKI fleet ASAP.
Makes sense. I guess them attacking India while also having their forces stationed in Saudi Arabia, while being in a conflict with Afghanistan all whilst having no fuel would be either really stupid or just flat out suicidal. Though I saw the problem as more of Pakistan being both, and thus slightly unpredictable.
Yup. Another feather in the cap of the IAF just like the installation post Operation Swift Retort & its aftermath saw SDRs been implemented in the IAF , long range missiles being procured etc .IAF saw the need for R-37M post skirmish, so there is a definitive need for this. Just consider R-37M as our airborne 40N6, and then even PAF's future KJ-500 fleet is not safe and that too from multiple vectors
IIRC, the upgrade plan involved a parallel Russian path to the Super Sukhoi Upgrade which would include 37M Integration? Not too sure about it though.
There's a typo there. Those 300 missiles will come for 1.2 billion USD not 1.2 million making it ~ 4 million USD / piece. That's a very expensive acquisition .
R-37m is far superior to the astra. This should not even be a discussion. If the Pakistanis can gethand on non export pl-15 then we definitely can get hands on non export r-37M.
Worth it considering our flankers are sitting ducks against j-10's and j-16's and even j-20's.
I think we are getting the 400km version. All the more need to get 100+ su30mkis as well as su-57 being produced in India. If the budget allows get the su-75 too.
I mean not really considering the avg price of the meteor is around 5M per while the price of the AIM120Ds even after insane amounts of mass production is still at 2.5 m per and the aim 260 is going to be at least 1.5x more.
Yes, we're getting the real deal and after years of long wait, MKI is finally getting a BVR which suits its "Air-Dominance Fighter" moniker and from what I have heard is that IAF is pushing for a max load of 8 R-37M per MKI. Bear in mind that current Flankers carry 2 R-37M as standard configuration load.
