India Negotiating To Buy New missiles For Su-30MKI, MiG-29 Jets

The Indian Air Force (IAF) is negotiating with Russia to make a fresh purchase of long-range missiles for its Su-30MKI and MiG-29 fighters, after acquiring $700 million-worth air-to-air and guided missiles from Mosow.

The new multi-million dollar purchase includes “nearly 300 units of R-73 short-range air-to-air missiles, 400 units of RVV-AE (R-77) medium-range air-to-air guided missiles, and X-31 radar jamming Russian missile,” highly placed sources told The Print on Thursday.

After the order for the above missiles were placed, Russia offered New Delhi long-range missiles to be equipped on its fighters.

“Russia's negotiation team has been discussing the order with the Indian team; and both countries will soon conclude the purchase order,” a source told Sputnik.

Additionally, the Indian Army has also requested Russia to supply launchers and missiles for its defence systems, including multi-barrel launchers.

In March, the Russian missile maker Vympel, which is part of Russia's consolidated JSC Tactical Missiles Corporation (KTRV), offered the RVV-MD short-range missile, the RVV-SD medium-range missile, and the RVV-BD long-range missile to India.