Recently surfaced images have confirmed that the Russian Aerospace Forces (VKS) are now using their most advanced long-range air-to-air missiles in combat, officially designated as the R-77M. Although the missile’s presence in Ukraine had been the subject of speculation in recent months, a newly released image shows a Su-35S fighter jet equipped with this new version of the missile developed by Vympel, indicating that it is now part of the platform’s deployed arsenal.
The origins of the R-77, designated by NATO as the “AA-12 Adder” and also known as “Izdeliye 170,” date back to the Soviet era, when its Air Force sought a new long-range air-to-air missile to counter equivalent systems being developed by the United States and its Western allies.
However, the dissolution of the Soviet Union and the subsequent socioeconomic crisis in Russia delayed its development and entry into service, which was finally achieved in 1994. That same year, the missile was rapidly offered for export to third-party countries.
Over time, and once Russia’s internal situation stabilized, the R-77 continued to undergo incremental upgrades to maintain its operational relevance. A notable example of this was its deployment in Syria by the VKS in its R-77-1 version.
Among the improvements made—which laid the foundation for the next major upgrade, the R-77M, also designed for integration into the internal weapons bays of the new Su-57 stealth fighter—are increased resistance to electronic countermeasures, aerodynamic refinements, and a more sensitive and advanced seeker.
Currently, the Su-35S has become the main air superiority platform of the Russian Aerospace Forces, thanks to its advanced capabilities and its inventory of long- and very-long-range air-to-air missiles, which includes the aforementioned R-77-1 and the R-37M (NATO reporting name: AA-13 Axehead).
For several months, various open-source intelligence outlets have been analyzing missile debris recovered on the battlefield, suggesting that the VKS may already be using this new version of Vympel’s air-to-air missiles. The recently viralized image showing a Su-35S armed with one of these missiles adds weight to these claims and, unsurprisingly, raises new concerns for the Ukrainian Armed Forces.
As Ukrainian F-16 pilot Andrii “Juice” Pilshchykov—who was later killed in combat operations—told The War Zone in reference to the R-37M: “It limits our capabilities to accomplish our missions. Of course, if you’re maneuvering, we cannot provide an airstrike or anything else, so the game is still very, very, very tough in the air and very, very risky. If you’re not aware of the missile launch, you’re dead.”
In that regard, and as the specialized outlet points out, confirmation of the R-77M’s operational deployment—both on the Su-35S and other platforms like the Su-57, which are operated from within Russian territory—represents a new warning sign for the Ukrainian Air Force.
Finally, among the enhancements applied to the R-77M—based on the R-77-1—is the incorporation of a new dual-pulse rocket motor, significantly increasing the missile’s operational range as well as its maneuverability and terminal phase performance. Also noteworthy are the advancements in its active seeker, now complemented by a semi-active system that allows for employment in conjunction with other platforms providing secondary target illumination.
Cover photo: credits to the rightful owner.
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