Russian media revealed Moscow’s preparations to deal with the F-16 fleet about to be handed over to Ukraine by the West.
Images posted by Russian news sites show that Moscow is testing equipping Su-30SM2 fighters with a new type of missile, in an effort considered to be aimed at countering F-16 aircraft that the West will transfer. delivered to Ukraine shortly.
Russian news website Top War said that the tests of the Su-30SM2 multi-functional fighter aircraft equipped with the R-37M long-range hypersonic missile are to prepare for the appearance of the F-16s. American production in Ukraine.
“Our military pilots showed that they are quite ready for the appearance of Western aircraft in Ukraine,” the article said.
The Su-30SM2 aircraft is an upgraded version of the Russian Su-30 fighter. Russian state media described the planes as being equipped with “sophisticated” avionics, including radar, to enhance their ability to detect and identify targets at longer ranges.
Russian media said this fighter “is capable of carrying out attacks on air, ground and sea targets with new smart weapons from a distance of several hundred kilometers”, but did not provide information. provides more detailed information about specific weapon systems.
In November 2022, the Tass news agency reported that the Russian Ministry of Defense had received a “batch” of new Su-30SM2 fighters, reconfigured to deploy a “larger arsenal” of missiles. long-range fire, air-to-air and air-to-ground.
Ukrainian news sites said that information about the Su-30SM2 tests appearing in the context of the F-16 being handed over to Kyiv was not a coincidence.
The R-37 is one of the most formidable air-to-air missiles in the Russian arsenal.
The Vympel R-37M missile is considered an aerial assassin in the Russian Air Force thanks to its impressive ability to attack targets. This missile has a speed of more than 7,400 km/h (equivalent to 6 times the speed of sound), and a range of more than 300km, much farther than the US Navy’s AIM-54 Phoenix missile with a range of only 190km.
The R-37M uses an enhanced solid fuel engine, equipped with an Agat 9M1103M-350 target indicating radar capable of detecting targets at a distance of up to 70km and locking on targets at a distance of 40km. When approaching the target, the R-37M will turn on the navigation radar and accelerate quickly to supersonic speeds, making it impossible for the enemy to react.
The R-37M is considered one of the longest-range air-to-air missiles in the world. It is capable of tracking targets through active and semi-active radar systems. This means that once the R-37M is launched, it will be completely independent of the launch vehicle. The high speed makes this missile able to intercept even stealth targets.
With an impressive attack range, the R-37M equipped with the Su-30SM2 fighter is expected to become a “twin” pair, able to shoot down Ukrainian fighters from a distance of several hundred kilometers. The ability to attack and lock targets from long range will help the Su-30SM2 be safer in air combat.
In addition to the Su-30SM2, Russia also has MiG-31BM, Su-57, and Su-35S fighters capable of carrying the R-37M and this missile has also been known to shoot down Ukrainian aircraft before.
