Ignoring US President Donald John Trump’s warning, India recently signed a USD 1.2 billion defence deal with Russia. Under this agreement, the South Asian nation would acquire missiles capable of destroying Airborne Warning and Control Systems (AWACS) from Moscow.

Citing a Ministry of Defence source, the Indian media reported that R-37M air-to-air missiles – known as AWACS Killers – would be procured for the Indian Air Force’s (IAF) squadrons of Russian Sukhoi Su-30MKI fighter jets under the new agreement. Initially, New Delhi placed an order for 300 Russian R-37M long-range air-to-air missiles under fast-track procurement.

Defence analysts are of the opinion that the induction of these long-range AWACS Killer missiles into the IAF would significantly alter the military balance in the Indian Subcontinent. They believe that following the S-400 Triumf air defence system and the BrahMos supersonic cruise missile, yet another Russian missile could prove to be a game-changer in a conflict scenario.

The AWACS, known as a Flying Radar, helps fighter jets and missiles pinpoint targets with precision during combat situations. Additionally, this airborne system features an Integrated Radar Warning Receiver capable of jamming enemy radar. The AWACS – a specialised airplane equipped with a giant, rotating radar dome on top – is also capable of detecting, as well as tracking, certain enemy missiles, especially cruise missiles that fly at low altitudes.

The IAF still does not possess any long-range air-to-air missile capable of destroying the AWACS fleets of Pakistan or China. The R-37M (NATO reporting name: AA-13 Axehead) is expected to fill that gap. This hypersonic missile, measuring approximately 4.2mt long and weighing nearly 600kg, can carry a 60kg high-explosive fragmentation warhead intended for large airborne targets.

It may be noted that India signed the deal with Russia amid reports that the Narendra Modi Government might cancel a planned purchase of 114 Rafale jets from France. The issue reportedly stems from France’s refusal to provide access to key electronic systems that India wants in order to integrate its domestically developed Astra Mk1 missiles. India has already tested these missiles on the Su-30MKI. If France cancels the Rafale deal with India, it could also lead to fewer future purchases of French-made missile systems.

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Published by Koushik Das

Koushik Das (born on May 16, 1976 in Kolkata) is a career journalist. Based in the Indian capital of New Delhi, Koushik writes mainly about foreign policies and current geopolitical issues, and rarely about other topics. His own political ideas are highly influenced by Antonio Gramsci, Louis Althusser, Michel Foucault, Michael Oakeshott and others. English philosopher and political theorist Oakeshott (Dec 11, 1901-Dec 19, 1990) says that “in political activity, men sail a boundless and bottomless sea. There is neither harbour for shelter nor floor for anchorage, neither starting-place, nor appointed destination. But we have to keep afloat”. (Rationalism in Politics, 1962) As a student of Political Science, Koushik loves to share his views on issues, which have great impacts on his thought process (and also on India, South Asia and of course on the global community), with his readers through his website – Boundless Ocean of Politics. By doing so, he tries to keep himself afloat. You will find some of his articles in https://inserbia.info/today/ (https://inserbia.info/today/author/kou_das13_i/), as he has been trying to assess the global geopolitics since 2003. You can also mail him at kousdas@gmail.com View all posts by Koushik Das