ARTEM has signed a Contract for the Production of R-27 Missile : for India or Indonesia ?

29 Juli 2021

Indonesian Su-30 fighter with R-27 and R73 missile (photo : TNI AU)

The Ukrainian manufacturer of missile weapons, the State Joint Stock Holding Company (JSC) "Artem" has received a contract for the production of air-to-air missiles R-27. This is stated in a statement by the president of the company, Vladimir Zimin, on the website of the Artem State Holding Company.

Ukrainian R-27 modification (all images : UkrMilitary)

The manufacturer received an advance payment, which made it possible to start the implementation of "the largest contract for the last 10-15 years for the supply of R-27 missiles worth over $ 200 million," said Vladimir Zimin. The customer of the batch of missiles has not been disclosed, but experts believe that it is about one of the Asian countries - Indonesia or India. Considering that the missile is compatible with a large number of Soviet Russian aircraft (Su-27, Su-33, Su-34, Su-35, MiG-29), the circle of potential customers may turn out to be wider.

Let us remind you that the Soviet guided missile R-27 was developed by specialists of the Vympel Moscow plant in the mid-1970s. Already in 1984, the serial production of the R-27 was organized, and since 1987 the missile has been in service. The guided missile is designed to destroy air targets at any time of the day - at target speeds up to 3500 km/h, and overload up to 8g. The missile layout provides for modularity, which facilitates modernization. Modifications of the R-27 are in service with the air forces of 29 countries.

Now SJSC "Artem" produces four modifications of R-27 (R-27ER1, R-27R1, R-27ET1, R-27T1). The most advanced R-27ER1 has a launch range of 95 km. A universal warhead weighing 29 kg is used to defeat targets. The R-27ER1 version is equipped with a semi-active radar head with radio correction. It is worth noting that in 2019 representatives of the Artem State Holding Company announced work on a new modification of the R-27 and new GOS - including active ones. Tests of promising samples are scheduled for 2021.

(AviaPort)