The Indian Air Force teased the public with a sneak peek of the advanced variant of the
indigenous Astra missile in the run-up to the glorious celebrations of India’s Air
Force Day, which took place on October 8, 2022.
In the promotional video released by the Indian Air Force (IAF) before the 90th Air Force
Day, an Astra Mk-II beyond-visual-range air-to-air missile (BVRAAM) is launched from a Su-30
MKI fighter.
The missile seems to have been fired using Unified Common Launcher attached to a Su-30
MKI fighter.
This development comes a few days after the Indian Air Force commissioned the Light Combat
Helicopter Prachand as part of its Atmanirbhar Bharat (self-reliant India) campaign that
aims to bolster indigenous defense manufacturing and boost self-reliance.
In this video Defense Updates analyzes has India managed to develop a world-class Beyond-Visual-Range
Air-to-Air missile in Astra Mk-II ?
Let's get into the details.
Viewers may note that on 27th Feb, a day after the bombing of the JeM terrorist training
facility in Pakistan by the Indian Air Force, a short air battle ensued between Indian and
Pakistani fighters.
The Indian Sukhoi-30MKIs and other jets scrambled to intercept the incoming Pakistani fighters
had found it difficult to engage the F-16s as they were outranged.
The Pakistani F-16s were armed with the AIM-120C advanced medium-range air-to-air missiles
(AMRAAMs), which have a range of about 105 km or around 65 miles whereas the Indian fighters
had Russian-made R77 that has a range of around 80 km or around 50 miles.
Pakistani fighters fired several of them at the Sukhoi-30MKIs before the latter could
even get into their firing range.
The Su 30MKIs were able to jam the missile and they fell to the ground harmlessly.
Indian Air Force had displayed parts of the AIM-120C-5 fired by the F-16 during a press
briefing.
Though one of the Indian Mig 21 piloted by Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman shot down
a retreating Pakistani F16 with short-range R 73 missile, this was a wakeup call for Indian
Air Force.
For a quick fix, India has acquired missiles like Python-5 and Meteor, but the need for
an indigenous one has been felt acutely.
Astra (Sanskrit: "weapon") is an Indian family of all-weather beyond-visual-range air-to-air
missiles, developed by the Defence Research and Development Organization.
The DRDO developed Astra MK-I missile as well as related equipment for its launch, ground
handling, and testing.
collaboration with the Indian Air Force.
The missile, for which the IAF has previously conducted successful trials, is fully integrated
into the fighter aircraft Su 30 MK-I and will be gradually merged with other fighter aircraft
such as the Mirage-2000, MIG-29, and the Light Combat Aircraft (Tejas).
Astra I is capable of engaging targets at a maximum range of 110 km or 68 mi.
On May 31, the India Ministry of Defense (MoD) signed a contract with Bharat Dynamics Limited
(BDL) for the supply of ASTRA MK-I BVRAAM and associated equipment for the Indian Air
Force & Indian Navy approximately for $382.96 million
Until recently, there was no technology to produce these kinds of missiles domestically.
In terms of technology and affordability, this missile is superior to many other similar
imported missile systems.
Astra Mk2 is a next-generation air-to-air missile that can hit targets at a distance
of up to 160 kilometers or 100 miles.
To increase the missile’s range and performance, a dual-pulse rocket motor has been installed
on it.
The motor improves the kinematics during the kill phase of the missile.
The missile is primarily developed for the Indian Air Force and Indian Navy.
It is thought to have exceptional maneuverability at supersonic speeds and is capable of engaging
highly maneuverable targets like modern fighter jets.
It is jam resistant and has an indigenous seeker.
Earlier this year, it was reported that Astra Mk-II was tested in May 2022, but no official
disclosure has been made.
The Astra Mk2 missile could be a major addition to the Indian Air Force as it would tremendously
enhance the combat capability of fighter jets.
The missile has often been compared to the Chinese PL-15 and the AIM-120 AMRAAM of the
US Air Force.
Large Stand-Off Ranges offered by air-to-air missiles with BVR capabilities enable fighter
aircraft to eliminate enemy aircraft without being exposed to hostile air defense systems,
thereby establishing and maintaining air space dominance.
Additionally, India is developing the Astra Mk-III, which will have a 300+ km range.
The missile will be propelled by a solid fuel-based ducted ramjet (SFDR).
The DRDO has tested the SFDR technology necessary for long-range air-to-air missiles numerous
times over the past few years.
Astra Mk3 could match the capabilities of ramjet-powered MBDA’s Meteor, which the
IAF uses on its Rafale fighter jets and is considered the best in the world with the
largest No-Escape Zone of any air-to-air missile.
While India has been doing very well when it comes to ground-launched ballistic missiles
with Agni Series missiles being in the forefront it now seems to be catching up in the Air
to Air segment with Astra series missiles.
It remains to be seen how things pan out in the coming days and if Astra is able to deliver as per the potential.