According to Defense Romania, after Ukraine had successfully shot down the Kh-47 Kinzhal missile, the russians stated looking for a way to rehabilitate. Rosoboronexport announced that it is ready to export the X-31PD antiradar missiles, which supposedly can be transformed into the “AEW&C aircraft killer” or used to strike at radars or radar stations of medium and long-range surface-to-air missile (SAM) system.
At the same time, the russians claim that they managed to modify the X-31PD missile even under the conditions of sanctions so that it could withstand the Patriot surface-to-air missile system.
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![The Kh-31PD antiradar missile Defense Express Russia Offers the X-31PD Missile for Export Market in Response to the Kh-47 Kinzhal Missile Loss](/media/contentimages/8c7645925fb93d08.jpg)
In fact, the serial production of the X-31PD missile started in 2012. This missile differs from the basic version with an increased starting weight of up to 715 kg, an increased warhead up to 110 kg, and a claimed launch range of up to 250 km.
The Patriot SAM system has a maximum firing range of up to 160 km (provided that the PAC-2 missile is fired at planes or cruise missiles). However, the radio-technical parameters of the Patriot's radar system must be programmed into the guidance system's memory of the X-31PD missile so that it could withstand. It is unlikely that the russians have such data and it is doubtful that there are technological capabilities to “reprogram” the missile properly.
![The Kh-31PD antiradar missile Defense Express Russia Offers the X-31PD Missile for Export Market in Response to the Kh-47 Kinzhal Missile Loss](/media/contentimages/74064592600efaab.jpg)
Moreover, theoretically, it is possible that the “AEW&C aircraft killer” could be targeted at exports, such as to India because China has a big fleet of radar surveillance aircraft. However, it is difficult to say how effective such weapon would be in real-world scenarios, and whether or not russia could use the Kh-31PD missile in a war against Ukraine.
As Defense Express previously reported, How russians Wasted Kh-31P and Kh-58 Missiles And Failed to Destroy Ukraine’s Air Defense.
![The Kh-31PD antiradar missile Defense Express Russia Offers the X-31PD Missile for Export Market in Response to the Kh-47 Kinzhal Missile Loss](/media/contentimages/244645926064a138.webp)
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