India is moving to integrate the Russian RVV-BD missile with its Su-30 MKI fighters. The plan could extend the IAF’s reach against high-value airborne targets amid regional missile competition.
In a major capability boost for its Su-30 MKI fleet, India is working to integrate the Russian RVV-BD very-long-range air-to-air missile with the fighter jets, potentially giving the Indian Air Force a significant advantage in long-range air-to-air warfare against China and Pakistan.
Ahead of Russian President Vladimir Putin’s visit, India has moved to modify the Su-30 MKI to enable it to carry and fire the RVV-BD missile. It would prove to be a game changer, defence sources told India Today.
The proposal is being taken up for clearance at the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) meeting chaired by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Monday. The DAC on Monday accorded Acceptance of Necessity (AoN) for proposals worth Rs 1.10 lakh crore, including the RVV-BD integration.
The Su-30 MKI, with more than 260 aircraft in the IAF fleet, is the mainstay of India’s fighter fleet and played a key role during Operation Sindoor against Pakistan. Two separate modernisation projects, including the Super Sukhoi upgrade with a new AESA radar, electronic warfare systems and upgraded avionics, are also underway to allow the aircraft to detect and engage targets at greater distances.
LONG-RANGE FIREPOWER FOR CRITICAL TARGETS
The RVV-BD is a very-long-range air-to-air missile designed to engage high-value and relatively slow-moving targets deep inside defended airspace, including airborne early warning and control (AEW&C) aircraft, aerial refuellers, long-range intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) platforms and transport aircraft.
The missile is reported to have a range of up to 300 km and is intended to provide a long-range engagement capability against targets that typically operate well behind the frontline.
The proposed integration would also give the Su-30 MKI another long-range weapon alongside the BrahMos-A, which the aircraft already carries for ground-strike missions.