R-27

A medium-to-long-range air-to-air missile family produced in semi-active radar and infrared-homing variants, historically the primary beyond-visual-range weapon of the MiG-29 and Su-27 families before the R-77's introduction. Still widely fielded across Russian and export fighter fleets.

In service since 1984

Compiled from public sources ·primary reference ↗ ·last verified 2026-07-02

130

km range

4.5

Mach

kg warhead

Several performance figures for Russia-origin systems are manufacturer or state claims with limited independent verification. Treat these specs as directional, not tested values.

Pricing: No public unit cost

Procurement snapshot

Availability & export

Russian state channel

Rosoboronexport monopoly; Western sanctions exposure and payment/logistics risk for many buyers.

Channel: Rosoboronexport (state)

Fielded & proven

Operator data not public

In service since 1984. Status: active.

Lifecycle cost (est.)

No public unit price to model from.

Interoperability

No standardised NATO calibre / datalink detected in public specs.

Derived guidance from public data — export regime by country of origin, lifecycle from the GAO ~30% acquisition rule. Verify eligibility, pricing and offsets with the manufacturer and your acquisition authority.

Full specifications

Performance

Speed, range, altitude and engagement capability.

Max speed (Mach) Maximum speed as a multiple of the speed of sound. Mach 2+ is typical for air-superiority fighters.: 4.5 Mach

Stronger than 78% of missiles
Range Maximum distance: ferry range for aircraft, operational range for vehicles, maximum engagement distance for missiles. Higher means more standoff or persistence.: 130 km

Stronger than 42% of missiles

Firepower

Armament, payload and guidance.

Warhead Warhead mass. Heavier generally means larger effect radius, at the cost of range.: 39 kg

Stronger than 33% of missiles
Warhead type Blast-fragmentation, shaped charge (HEAT), penetrator, thermobaric or nuclear-capable.: Continuous-rod fragmentation
Guidance How the weapon finds its target: inertial, GPS/GLONASS, active/semi-active radar, infrared, laser, TV, wire.: Semi-active radar homing, infrared homing

Physical

Dimensions, weight and crew.

Length Overall length including gun/probe where applicable.: 4.5 m
Combat weight Fully loaded weight. Lighter eases transport and bridging limits; heavier often means more armor.: 253 kg

Propulsion

Engine, power and fuel.

Propulsion type Turbofan, turboshaft, diesel, gas turbine, solid-fuel rocket, ramjet…: Solid-fuel rocket

Specifications compiled from public Tactical Missiles Corporation (KTRV) and reference sources ↗. Published defense figures are approximations — treat comparisons as directional. Last verified 2026-07-02.

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