According to ANI, India's Ministry of Defence is reportedly considering a proposal to integrate the Russian RVV-BD very-long-range beyond-visual-range air-to-air missile (BVRAAM) with the Indian Air Force's (IAF) Su-30MKI fleet.

However, the MoD did not announce any decision on the proposal following the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) meeting held this week.  The reported move comes as the emergence of longer-range Chinese air-to-air missiles, such as the PL-15E, has increased IAF interest in extending its own beyond-visual-range engagement capability.

The RVV-BD has previously been offered as part of Russia’s proposal for the Indian purchase of the SU-57E. Four missiles can be carried externally on the Su-57E and five on the SU-35. The longest-range operational BVRAAM presently available to the IAF is considered to be MBDA’s Meteor BVRAAM, which has a quoted operational range in excess of 100 km. The IAF also operates the European-origin MICA, Russian-origin R-27, R-77 and Israeli Derby BVRAAMs.

However, these missiles are now outranged by the Chinese PL-15E which is in service with the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) and used to target IAF aircraft during Indo-Pak clashes which took place in May 2025. Chinese media outlets have reported the PL-15E as having an maximum range of 145 km.

If approved, integration of the RVV-BD would provide the IAF with a dedicated very-long-range air-to-air capability, complementing its existing Meteor and Astra-series missiles while extending engagement options against high-value airborne targets. The IAF had earlier previously integrated the BrahMos supersonic cruise missile on its Su-30 MKI fleet and has a proven capability to undertake the missile integration domestically with Russian support.

The RVV-BD was designed to primarily target fighter aircraft, airborne surveillance/jammer platforms, airborne command posts and cruise missiles. The RVV-BD has a quoted range of up to 200 km when launched against a target a target in the frontal hemisphere. The 4m-long RVV-BD is powered by a dual-mode solid rocket motor that provides separate boost and sustain phases, helping the missile retain energy and manoeuvrability during long-range engagements. It can engage targets manoeuvring at up to 8G or flying at speeds up to Mach 2.5.

The missile weighs up to 510 kg with a 60 kg high-explosive fragmentation warhead and features an inertial guidance system with radio correction in the initial phase and active radar self-homing in the final phase of the flight. The active radar seeker can achieve lock-on against a fighter-class target in the front hemisphere up to a distance of 30 km. The RVV-BD is the export version of the Russian R-37M, which has been integrated on Russian Air Force SU-35 and SU-57s.

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