Malaysian Su-30s to launch live Kh-31s for first time in SCS drill

Dzirhan Mahadzir, Kuala Lumpur - IHS Jane's Defence Weekly
02 September 2014

The Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) will conduct the first live firings of Kh-31A anti-ship and Kh-31P anti-radiation missiles (AS-17 'Krypton') from its Sukhoi Su-30MKM fighters during a joint exercise with Royal Malaysian Navy (RMN) in the South China Sea this month.

The Kh-31 firings against a sea target will take place in a designated part of the South China Sea routinely used by the RMN for firing practice.

The exact location of the firing area is unknown but military sources confirmed that it is well away from the disputed Spratly Islands to avoid provoking other claimants.

The RMN will also conduct live firings of MBDA MM40 Exocet anti-ship missiles and Seawolf surface-to-air missiles from its ships and MBDA Sea Skua missiles from RMN Super Lynx helicopters.