The Indian Air Force (IAF) has signed a deal with Russia for buying R-27 air-to-air missiles worth over Rs 1500 crore. The missiles will be fitted on the Su-30MKI fighter planes. The missiles will further strengthen the air-to-air combat capability of the air force.

"A contract has been signed with Russia for the acquisition of R-27 air-to-air missile to be fitted on the Su-30MKI combat aircraft fleet of the Indian Air Force," government sources said.

The R-27 missile is designed to destroy air targets in adverse weather conditions at any time of day.

The missile has a length of 4m, a body diameter of 0.23m and wingspan of 0.77m. The weight of the missile is 253kg. The R-27 can be launched from an altitude of 25km, up to a range of 60km. The guidance system of the missile includes semi-active radar seeker with command updates.

The missiles have been acquired under 10-I projects which mandate the three services to maintain critical weapon systems and spares for a specified minimum period, which is known as War Wastage Reserve (WWR), news agency ANI said.

In the last 50 days, the IAF has signed deals worth over Rs 7,600 crore for acquiring equipment under emergency requirements approved by the Defence Ministry.

The IAF has spent around Rs 7,600 crore in procuring missiles such as the Spice-2000, Strum Ataka ATGMs and a large number of spares under the emergency procurement route.

After the Pulwama attack, the Central government had given emergency powers to the three services to buy whatever equipment is required by them for safeguarding the borders with Pakistan.

Under the powers given, the security forces can buy the equipment of their choice within three months at the cost of up to Rs 300 crore per case.

The emergency powers were given to the forces within a few weeks after the Pulwama attack in which 44 CRPF personnel were killed and India started increasing vigil at the borders with Pakistan, they said.

(With inputs from ANI)