Vympel R-73 short-range air-to-air missile

The Vympel R-73, known to NATO as the AA-11 Archer, is a Soviet-origin short-range infrared air-to-air missile designed for high-agility dogfights and documented in Indian reporting during the 2019 India-Pakistan Border Skirmishes.

2019 India-Pakistan Border SkirmishesIndia

Conflict side: India
Built by: Vympel
Built in: Russia

Vympel R-73 short-range air-to-air missile, Short-range infrared-guided air-to-air missile, Munitions

Image source: Wikimedia Commons R-73.jpg

Profile

Type: Short-range infrared-guided air-to-air missile
Conflict side: India
Origin: Soviet Union

Production History

Built by: Vympel
Built in: Russia

Specifications

Length: 2.9 m
Diameter: 170 mm
Launch weight: 105 kg
Warhead: 8 kg rod warhead
Guidance: All-aspect passive infrared homing
Range: Up to 30 km

Conflict Usage

2019 India-Pakistan Border Skirmishes: Side: IndiaRole: Close-range air-to-air interceptair defense
Indian reporting on the 2019 India-Pakistan Border Skirmishes says the R-73 was fired by Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman from his MiG-21 Bison during the 27 February air engagement.

Vympel R-73 short-range air-to-air missile Images

Vympel R-73 short-range air-to-air missile, Short-range infrared-guided air-to-air missile, Munitions - view 1 — Source: Wikimedia Commons R-73.jpg

Vympel R-73 short-range air-to-air missile, Short-range infrared-guided air-to-air missile, Munitions - view 2 — Source: Wikimedia Commons R-73 HuAF.jpg

Vympel R-73 short-range air-to-air missile, Short-range infrared-guided air-to-air missile, Munitions - view 3 — Source: Wikimedia Commons HAL Tejas carrying R-73 missile and Drop Tank.jpg

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Sources

R-73EPublisher: Rosoboronexport | Note: Supports R-73 manufacturer background and core technical specifications for the export variant. | Accessed: 2026-06-21 Abhinandan's last radio message said he had locked on to Pak F-16Publisher: Times of India | Note: Supports 2019 India-Pakistan Border Skirmishes direct conflict-use: Indian reporting says the R-73 was fired by Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman during the 27 February 2019 aerial engagement. | Accessed: 2026-06-21 Wikimedia Commons R-73.jpgPublisher: Wikimedia Commons | Note: Supports image provenance and public-domain licensing context for the primary R-73 missile image. | Accessed: 2026-06-21 Wikimedia Commons R-73 HuAF.jpgPublisher: Wikimedia Commons | Note: Supports image provenance and Creative Commons licensing context for the mounted R-73 reference image. | Accessed: 2026-06-21 Wikimedia Commons HAL Tejas carrying R-73 missile and Drop Tank.jpgPublisher: Wikimedia Commons | Note: Supports image provenance and public image context for a fighter-mounted R-73 reference image. | Accessed: 2026-06-21