29 May 2019
by Rahul Bedi
The Indian Air Force (IAF) is planning to arm its fleet of Sukhoi Su-30MKI multirole fighters with the Rafael Advanced Defense Systems I-Derby ER (extended range) beyond-visual-range air-to-air missile (BVRAAM) once the service phases out its ageing Russian-made Vympel R-77 (AA-12 ‘Adder’) AAMs by 2021–22.
The IAF is seeking to arm its fleet of Su-30MKI multirole fighters with the Israeli-made I-Derby ER BVRAAM. (IHS Markit/Patrick Allen)
Official sources told Jane’s that the IAF is in talks with Rafael to acquire the active radar-guided I-Derby ER, which has a range of 100 km, adding that the procurement process for the missiles could be finalised “imminently”.
The latest developments come after the fire-and-forget I-Derby ER missile, which features a software-defined radar seeker and a dual-pulse solid rocket motor, was selected to be the primary AAM to arm the IAF’s indigenously designed Tejas Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) following successful test-firings in July 2018.
An earlier version of the Derby, which can be configured as a surface-to-air missile, is also part of the IAF’s 18 Spyder-SR air-defence systems acquired from Rafael in 2008–09 for an estimated USD1 billion.
Delivery of the Spyder-SR systems, which included 750 Derby missiles, began in 2012 and was completed three years later.
The Indian Navy was the first to integrate an older Derby variant onto its since-retired Sea Harrier FRS Mk 51 carrier-borne fighters from 2005–06.
Already a Janes subscriber? Read the full article via the
Client Login
Interested in subscribing, see What we do
The Indian Air Force (IAF) is planning to arm its fleet of Sukhoi Su-30MKI multirole fighters with t...