SOURCE: AFI
At Aero India 2025, Rosoboronexport confirmed to idrw.org that Russia is offering its new-generation Kh-69 stealthy cruise missile for integration with India’s Su-30MKI fleet. Unveiled by Russia in 2023, the Kh-69 is a state-of-the-art air-launched missile designed as part of Russia’s latest arsenal of precision-strike weapons, and it presents a powerful addition to India’s airstrike capabilities.
The Kh-69 is designed for tactical missions, giving it the ability to target high-value infrastructure and military positions well inside enemy territory. While its range of 290 kilometers (approximately 180 miles) is shorter compared to long-range Russian missiles like the Kh-101, the Kh-69 is ideal for mid-range precision strikes. Its impressive versatility, advanced guidance systems, and multiple warhead options make it an attractive option for enhancing the strike capabilities of the Indian Air Force’s (IAF) Su-30MKI fighter jets.
The Kh-69 represents a significant upgrade to India’s existing arsenal, offering a robust solution for precision strikes against key targets in hostile territory. Its integration with the Su-30MKI fleet, one of India’s most powerful multirole fighter aircraft, would provide India with a potent and flexible strike capability, capable of deep penetration into enemy territory. The missile’s versatility, range, and stealth features make it a valuable asset for executing precise, high-value strikes with minimal risk.
Key Features of the Kh-69:
- Precision Guidance and Versatility: One of the standout features of the Kh-69 is its advanced guidance system, combining inertial navigation systems (INS) and satellite guidance. This allows the missile to make mid-course adjustments, ensuring precision in hitting targets, even in complex flight environments. Additionally, the missile can follow low-altitude flight profiles, enhancing its ability to evade detection by enemy radar systems.
- Multiple Warhead Options: The Kh-69 is capable of carrying various types of warheads, including conventional payloads and cluster munitions, as evidenced by the intercepted missile over Odessa. This flexibility allows it to be tailored to a wide range of mission types, from targeting critical infrastructure to neutralizing heavily defended military positions.
- Stealth and Maneuverability: The missile is designed with low observability in mind, employing radar-absorbing materials and a smaller form factor to minimize its radar cross-section. This, combined with its low-altitude flight path, makes it difficult for conventional air defense systems to detect and intercept. The missile’s ability to fly under the radar while hugging the terrain gives it a distinct advantage in bypassing enemy defenses.
- Subsonic Propulsion: While the Kh-69 travels at subsonic speeds, it compensates with exceptional stealth characteristics and the ability to maneuver along complex, unpredictable flight paths. Its design reduces the effectiveness of air defense systems, including missile interceptors, making it a formidable weapon for tactical operations.
NOTE: AFI is a proud outsourced content creator partner of IDRW.ORG. All content created by AFI is the sole property of AFI and is protected by copyright. AFI takes copyright infringement seriously and will pursue all legal options available to protect its content.