India is reportedly purchasing a consignment of R-37M ultra-long-range air-to-air missiles from Russia for $1.2 billion. The deal is seen as a strategic move to counter advanced aerial weapons fielded by its rivals, Pakistan and China.

India has reportedly signed a deal to buy Russian missiles that target support aircraft as its arch-rival Pakistan and China continue to integrate their aerial weapons profiles. Russia has cleared the export of around 300 R-37M ultra-long-range air-to-air missiles in a US$1.2 billion deal, according to media reports. Malaysia-based news platform Defence Security Asia said deliveries of the missiles could begin within 12 to 18 months. India is also developing its own Astra Mk 2 and Mk 3 missiles,...