SOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG
India’s Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) is advancing its aerial combat capabilities with the Astra MkII, a beyond-visual-range (BVR) air-to-air missile designed to enhance the Indian Air Force’s (IAF) operational edge. With a projected range of 140–160 km, the Astra MkII incorporates cutting-edge technologies, including a dual-pulse rocket motor, upgraded guidance algorithms, and an indigenous radio frequency (RF) seeker. The missile is slated to achieve operational readiness by 2026, with the IAF already placing orders for limited series production (LSP) units, marking a significant step toward self-reliance in defense technology.
The Astra MkII builds on the success of its predecessor, the Astra MkI, which is already integrated with the IAF’s Sukhoi Su-30MKI and HAL Tejas aircraft. While the MkI has a range of up to 110 km, the MkII extends this to 140–160 km, depending on launch altitude, placing it in the same league as advanced global BVR missiles like the AIM-120D AMRAAM and PL-15E. This extended range is achieved through a dual-pulse solid rocket motor, which enhances endgame performance by providing additional thrust in the terminal phase, improving maneuverability and kill probability against agile targets.
The dual-pulse motor allows the missile to conserve energy during its mid-course flight and unleash a second burst of propulsion during the final approach, significantly increasing its no-escape zone (NEZ)—the range within which a target cannot evade the missile. This makes the Astra MkII a formidable weapon for engaging enemy aircraft, drones, and other aerial threats at long distances.
The Astra MkII features upgraded guidance algorithms that enhance its precision and ability to track highly maneuverable targets. These algorithms, combined with an inertial navigation system (INS) and mid-course updates via a secure data link, ensure accurate targeting even in contested environments. In the terminal phase, the missile relies on an indigenous Ku-band active radar seeker, developed by DRDO’s Research Centre Imarat (RCI), replacing the Russian Agat seeker used in earlier Astra variants.
This homegrown RF seeker, designed to lock onto targets with high-frequency electromagnetic signatures, offers improved tracking and resistance to electronic countermeasures (ECM) through electronic counter-countermeasure (ECCM) capabilities. The seeker’s integration marks a milestone in India’s quest for technological autonomy, reducing dependence on foreign suppliers and ensuring greater control over critical systems.
The IAF has demonstrated strong confidence in the Astra program, with orders already placed for LSP units of the Astra MkII. Developmental and user trials are scheduled for 2025, with completion expected by 2026, paving the way for induction into the IAF’s frontline fighters, including the Su-30MKI, HAL Tejas, and potentially the Rafale fleet. Full-scale production by Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL) is anticipated to commence by 2027, following successful trials.
The missile’s platform-agnostic design allows it to be integrated across various IAF and Indian Navy aircraft, unlike imported missiles that often face compatibility constraints due to licensing restrictions. This versatility, coupled with its cost-effectiveness—estimated at Rs 7–8 crore per unit compared to Rs 25 crore for the MBDA Meteor—makes the Astra MkII a strategic asset for India’s defense forces.
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