IAF Gets More Muscle: India and Russia Sign Rs 1,500 Crore Deal for Beyond Visual Range R-27 Missiles

In a boost for Indian Air Force’s (IAF) capability in the beyond visual range warfare, India and Russia has signed a Rs 1,500 crore deal for air-to-air beyond visual range missiles for the IAF’s Sukhoi Su-30 fighter jets, reports Asian News International (ANI).

"A contract has been signed with Russia for the acquisition of R-27 air-to-air missile to be fitted on the Su-30 MKI combat aircraft fleet of the Indian Air Force," government sources were quoted in the report as saying.

The medium-to-long range R-27 air-to-air-missiles would add to the capabilities of IAF's lethal SU-30 jets by allowing them to take on enemy aircraft at extended ranges.

It should be noted that the IAF has spent over Rs 7,600 crore over the last 50 days in procurement of a large number of spares and missiles such as Strum Ataka ATGMs and the much-touted Spice-2000, which was also used by the IAF during the Balakot cross-border airstrikes in Pakistan.

After the Pulwama attack in February this year, the Union Government had granted the sanction of emergency powers to the three Armed Forces to procure required equipment to safeguard the borders against Pakistan, at a cost of up to Rs 300 crore per case.