[9] Shortly after German reunification in 1990, Germany and other ex-Warsaw Pact countries found themselves with large stockpiles of the R-73 missiles or AA-11 Archers as designated by NATO, and had concluded that the R-73/AA-11's capabilities had been noticeably underestimated by the West.

The R-73M has greater range and a wider seeker angle (to 60° off-boresight), as well as improved IRCCM (Infrared Counter-Counter-Measures).

[13] An improved version of the R-74, the R-74M (izdeliye 750) features fully digital and re-programmable systems, and is intended for use on the MiG-35, MiG-29K/M/M2, Su-27SM, Su-30MK and Su-35S.

This missile has an inertial navigation system, a smaller cross-section with the fin span reduced to 434 mm (17.1 in) to fit in internal weapon bays, and is designed to match the performance of the AIM-9X, IRIS-T and the ASRAAM.

On 18 March 2008, a MiG-29 Fulcrum of the Russian Air Force intercepted a Georgian Elbit Hermes 450 UAV over Abkhazia.

[19] On 27 February 2019, Indian officials claims that an IAF MiG-21 Bison had successfully engaged and shot down a Pakistani F-16 with an R-73E missile during the 2019 Jammu and Kashmir airstrikes.

They only require power, liquid nitrogen "to cool the seeker head", and a pylon to launch the missile.

[26] On 31 December 2024, Ukraine released footage of a Magura V5 naval drone firing an R-73 missile and hitting a Russian Mi-8 helicopter.

According to the Main Directorate of Intelligence, the Mi-8 was shot down, while a second helicopter was damaged but managed to return to base.