IAF Su-30MKIs Gain Extended Reach with Israeli I-Derby ER and Astra BVRAAM, Decisively Challenging PAF's Previous AMRAAM Advantage

The Indian Air Force (IAF) has significantly enhanced the air combat capabilities of its Sukhoi Su-30MKI fighter jets by equipping them with advanced long-range missiles.

Since 2019, the integration of the Israeli I-Derby ER and the indigenous Astra beyond-visual-range air-to-air missiles (BVRAAMs) has aimed to address operational gaps and counter the missile technology previously fielded by the Pakistan Air Force (PAF), particularly its American-made AMRAAM missiles.

These upgrades represent a major step in maintaining India's air superiority in the region.

The need for these improvements was starkly highlighted during aerial combat on February 27, 2019, following India's Balakot airstrike. In that engagement, PAF F-16 jets armed with AIM-120 AMRAAM missiles, which possess a range estimated between 100 and 120 kilometres, were able to target IAF Su-30MKIs from distances beyond the effective reach of the Sukhois' then-primary R-77 missiles (approximately 80 km range).

While the IAF pilots successfully evaded the incoming PAF missiles, their own weapons lacked the range to effectively engage the adversaries, exposing a critical need for longer-range air-to-air capabilities.

Recognising this disparity, the IAF initiated a focused program to upgrade its Su-30MKI fleet, which comprises over 260 aircraft and forms the core of India's fighter strength. A key component of this upgrade involved incorporating the I-Derby ER missile, developed by Israel's Rafael Advanced Defence Systems, a globally recognized defence technology company.

Announced in 2019, the I-Derby ER offers an engagement range of about 100 kilometres. It features advanced technologies, including a dual-pulse rocket motor that provides extra thrust during the final phase of flight for improved accuracy and a sophisticated active radar seeker allowing pilots to "fire-and-forget" the missile beyond visual range.

A particularly significant feature of the I-Derby ER is its ability to engage targets in any direction relative to the launching aircraft, including threats approaching from the rear (aft hemisphere). This "full-sphere" capability provides pilots with crucial defensive and offensive options, addressing limitations observed in the 2019 skirmish where IAF jets were primarily forced into defensive manoeuvres.

The integration process saw the I-Derby ER replacing the older R-77 missiles across Su-30MKI squadrons starting around 2021-2022.

Alongside the Israeli system, the IAF has also inducted the domestically developed Astra Mk-1 BVRAAM. Designed and developed by India's Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), the Astra Mk-1 boasts a range of approximately 110 kilometres.

Following successful trials in late 2019, the missile began integration onto the Su-30MKI platform in 2020. Reports indicated widespread operational deployment across frontline squadrons by late 2023, with full fleet integration anticipated by early 2024.

Like the I-Derby ER, the Astra Mk-1 uses active radar homing for precision targeting.

The introduction of the I-Derby ER (100 km range) and Astra Mk-1 (110 km range) has effectively neutralised the range advantage previously held by the PAF's AIM-120C AMRAAM missiles (100-120 km range).

While Pakistan has also sought to upgrade its arsenal, notably with the longer-range PL-15 missile (estimated 145 km export range) for its JF-17 Block III fighters, the IAF's upgrades restore parity.

Furthermore, India is actively developing the Astra Mk-2, expected to offer significantly extended range, promising a future edge.

Beyond closing the range gap, the new missiles offer distinct tactical benefits. The I-Derby ER's all-round engagement capability enhances survivability and offensive options in complex aerial combat.

The Astra missile is also noted for features like its two-way data link, potentially making it more resistant to electronic jamming techniques, which were reportedly employed during the 2019 confrontation.

Together, these missile upgrades significantly bolster the IAF Su-30MKI's lethality and survivability in the modern air combat environment.

 

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[tlsmani]

Why not go for R 37 Russian misiles. 80 ~100 derby is no match for Aim120 which range is 120 to 150km

 

[dhiraj]

Some SU 30 are also equipped with Brahmos with range of 290 kms which can be fatal

 

[aksinghal]

Some SU 30 are also equipped with Brahmos with range of 290 kms which can be fatal

Brahmos is air to ground missile. We need powerful air-to-air missiles which we still lack. Pathetic, even after astra program running for two decades we are still testing astra-2 and astra-3 is far from reality. Clearly porkistan has edge here again....

 

[aksinghal]

We need powerful air-to-air missiles which we still lack. Pathetic, even after astra program running for two decades we are still testing astra-2 and astra-3 is far from reality. Clearly porkistan has edge here again....

Pakistan has more powerful aim-120 for all of F-16s but we are lacking powerful AMRAAMs for Sukhoi-30. As mentioned in article none of derby & astra-mk1 matching aim-120 range of 120 kms. We are at huge disadvantage as big nation. We should have clear win in every point as compare to Pakistan since we are spending 87 billions of top dollar in defence budget....

 

[Imaxxx]

In Kargil war in 1999 our fighters were equipped with BVR missiles and had PAF running with tails between their legs. Remember the famous lock by Mig29 on F16. We let this decisive edge slip away from us to the point where PAF has an edge over us in the missile realm. 25 years of inaction, lethargy and indecision by all goverments has led to a very sad state of affairs.

 

[sanket]

Astra Mk2 is the answer, while MICA are short-range BVR with a 60 km effective range. Meteor is the longest and most potent missile but with a limited 36 Rafale fighter jet. BDL has to fast-track its ramping up production rate for the Astra series in 3-digit figures shortly. Astra Mk2 is expected to go for production. Dassault played spoilsport in not integrating the RBE-2 derivative plus Meteor missile on Mirage-2000 just to get more orders of Rafale. This is the marketing funda. Second, Mirage-2000 should be integrated with the Astra series too and Uttam AESA radar. If MiG-29 can be upgraded, why not Mirage-2000? It has more numbers than Rafale.

 

[kumar]

PL15 range is lower than Meteor.

 

[abhinav srivastava]

Meteor will only work with Rafales. We need to expedite Astra mk2 integration and production.

 

[SK]

I hope that IAF will consider to integrate Astra-Mk1 & Mk2 with Mirage-2000s..

 

[Kira]

I think they should seriously consider ramping up the Astra MK-1/2 production in the coming years with private sector participation as expectedly BDL is struggling with its mass production.

As for the R-77, it's a reliable and cost-effective system, but it is also older and outranged by AMRAAM and newer Chinese BVR missiles, so it's better to replace it altogether, especially when they will replace the current obsolete Bars radar on the MKI with a bigger domestic AESA radar.

In future, Astra variants plus Meteor and a few other Western missiles should remain in the inventory.

 

[Rinku Pandey]

PL15 range is lower than Meteor.

PL-15 has a higher range, but Meteor is a better missile than PL-15 as it can sustain its speed throughout, unlike PL-15, which loses speed.

 

[Sandeep]

India has more missiles than what is generally known to the public. This gives us a strategic advantage whenever it becomes time to use them.

What is obvious is that we need to focus and we need to quickly develop 100% indigenously the Astra MK1-3 and the Rudram MK1-3 which will give us a major advantage. We also need to quickly complete developing our own long range LGB, PGM, precision glide bombs and HSLD bombs as well. Once we develop the entire package of indigenous missile and bombs we will then become self reliant for all of our air force.

 

[Dredd]

PL-15 has a higher range, but Meteor is a better missile than PL-15 as it can sustain its speed throughout, unlike PL-15, which loses speed.

PL15 higher range is for transport size planes.

 

[Enforcer]

250 Meteor is not "HUGE" stockpile.

 

[Akshat]

PL15 higher range is for transport size planes.

Thing is, PL15 uses a dual pulse motor. So while it might have a higher range when launched from a higher altitude, the energy in the last phase is very low. So it will only be able to target very big planes, which are not maneuvering at all, and are at a very low altitude, at that range. And that too when PL15 is launched from a very high altitude and didn't maneuver at all during the flight.

Meteor's engine on the other hand means it has relatively similar energy levels at all points and thus can target enemies in a more realistic scenario. Even a transport aircraft can at the very least drop it's altitude and then go back up, and repeat it, which will make PL15 lose energy and thus reduce it's range very fast while Meteor will not have that problem to a large extent.

 

[kumar]

PL-15 has a higher range, but Meteor is a better missile than PL-15 as it can sustain its speed throughout, unlike PL-15, which loses speed.

PL-15 range is almost the same as Astra Mk II. Both are dual-pulse missiles. PL-15 range is not higher than Meteor. It is just overhyped like any other Chinese equipment.

 

[Sukhwi]

Thing is, PL15 uses a dual pulse motor. So while it might have a higher range when launched from a higher altitude, the energy in the last phase is very low. So it will only be able to target very big planes, which are not maneuvering at all, and are at a very low altitude, at that range. And that too when PL15 is launched from a very high altitude and didn't maneuver at all during the flight.

Meteor's engine on the other hand means it has relatively similar energy levels at all points and thus can target enemies in a more realistic scenario. Even a transport aircraft can at the very least drop it's altitude and then go back up, and repeat it, which will make PL15 lose energy and thus reduce it's range very fast while Meteor will not have that problem to a large extent.

Astra MK2 with dual pulse motor can do the same thing at fraction of the cost.

 

[Mc Addy]

Sea Harrier in Falkland destroyed 32 fast jets including Mirage 3 with tactics and no loss so it's the pilot, the tactics and the way to reach target. Evasive action is one thing, getting other into onces range is another ,so what if someone gets 300km range missiles, will we give up ?? No we can't so better evolve ways to fight, rather then to run.