India’s aerial defense strategy is entering a decisive phase of expansionand modernization. The Indian Air Force (IAF) has directed the DefenceResearch and Development Organisation (DRDO) to develop extended-rangevariants of the indigenous Astra missile, designed to hit targets beyond200 km. This move comes in the wake of successful long-range strikes duringOperation Sindoor, where the IAF deployed stand-off weapons such as theBrahMos, SCALP, Rampage, and Crystal Maze to engage enemy targets fromdistances between 250 km and 450 km. The extended Astra project aims tostrengthen India’s beyond-visual-range (BVR) combat capabilities and reducereliance on foreign missile systems.
Alongside the indigenous program, the IAF is exploring the possibility ofacquiring the Russian R-37M, a hypersonic air-to-air missile capable ofreaching speeds of up to Mach 6 and striking targets at ranges of 300 km to400 km. The R-37M, known by NATO as the AA-13 Axehead, is optimized forneutralizing high-value aerial assets such as airborne early warning andcontrol systems (AWACS) and refueling tankers. If inducted, the missilewould be integrated with aircraft such as the Su-30MKI, although upgradesto avionics and radar systems would be necessary to fully exploit itspotential.
In the air defense domain, India is also seeking to strengthen its S-400Triumf fleet. Under the original contract, five squadrons were ordered fromRussia, with three already operational. The remaining two squadrons areexpected to be delivered between 2026 and 2027, as timelines were adjusteddue to supply chain disruptions caused by the Russia–Ukraine conflict.Reports suggest that the IAF is considering procuring at least twoadditional squadrons beyond the existing agreement, further enhancingIndia’s layered air defense network against both aircraft and ballisticmissile threats.
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Together, these parallel initiatives—extending the range of Astra missiles,exploring the acquisition of the R-37M, and expanding the S-400fleet—represent a comprehensive modernization plan aimed at ensuringlong-range dominance in both offensive and defensive operations. Thisintegrated approach is designed to counter emerging regional threats,maintain air superiority, and bolster India’s deterrence capabilities whilepushing for greater self-reliance in advanced weapons systems.