Air-to-air missiles are essential weapons for fighter jets, enabling them to engage and destroy enemy aircraft from a safe distance. As technology advances, these missiles’ capabilities also improve, making them more efficient and lethal. In this article, we will list the top 10 air-to-air missiles in 2023, including their costs, and highlight their unique features.
- AIM-9X Sidewinder
The AIM-9X Sidewinder is a heat-seeking missile that tracks and engages enemy aircraft from short ranges. The US Air Force has been using it since 2003, and several other countries also employ it. It costs around $430,000 per missile.
- AIM-120D AMRAAM
The AIM-120D AMRAAM is a medium-range missile that can target both aircraft and missiles. It uses radar guidance and can be launched beyond visual range. The cost of each AIM-120D AMRAAM missile is approximately $1.4 million.
- Meteor
The Meteor is a long-range missile developed by MBDA, a European missile manufacturer. It employs active radar to track and engage enemy aircraft. It is one of the most expensive missiles, costing approximately $4.5 million per missile.
- R-77
The R-77 is a medium-range missile developed by Russia that uses radar guidance and can be launched beyond visual range. It costs around $1 million per missile.
- Python 5
The Python 5 is a short-range missile developed by Israel that tracks and engages enemy aircraft using heat-seeking technology. It costs around $350,000 per missile.
- PL-5
The PL-15 is a long-range missile developed by China that uses radar guidance and can be launched beyond visual range. It costs around $3 million per missile.
- MICA
The MICA is a medium-range missile developed by MBDA that can be used as both a heat-seeking and radar-guided missile. It costs around $1 million per missile.
- Derby
The Derby is a medium-range missile developed by Israel that uses radar guidance and can be launched beyond visual range. It costs around $800,000 per missile.
- AIM-132 ASRAAM
The AIM-132 ASRAAM is a short-range missile developed by the United Kingdom that tracks and engages enemy aircraft using heat-seeking technology. It costs around $500,000 per missile.
- IRIS-T
The IRIS-T is a short-range missile developed by Germany that tracks and engages enemy aircraft using heat-seeking technology. It costs around $750,000 per missile.
In conclusion, air-to-air missiles play a crucial role in modern air combat, and the top 10 missiles in 2023 offer a range of capabilities. These missiles are manufactured by countries from around the world, and while their costs vary widely, they all serve to ensure the safety and security of their respective nations.
