SOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG
India’s Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) is poised to redefine aerial combat with the Astra MkIII, christened ‘Gandiva’ after the legendary bow of Arjuna from the Mahabharata. According to sources close to idrw.org, this next-generation beyond-visual-range air-to-air missile (BVRAAM) is designed to achieve a staggering range exceeding 300 km, powered by a cutting-edge solid fuel ducted ramjet (SFDR) propulsion system. With captive trials underway and full-scale production targeted for 2030, the Gandiva is set to elevate the Indian Air Force’s (IAF) capabilities to rival global benchmarks like the MBDA Meteor.
The Astra MkIII ‘Gandiva’ leverages a solid fuel ducted ramjet (SFDR) propulsion system, a technology that uses atmospheric oxygen as an oxidizer, eliminating the need for onboard oxidizers and enabling a lighter, more efficient design. This throttleable ramjet allows the missile to sustain supersonic speeds of up to Mach 4.5 over extended ranges, reportedly reaching 300–350 km under optimal conditions, such as high-altitude launches from 20 km. The SFDR’s ability to modulate thrust mid-flight enhances the missile’s no-escape zone (NEZ), making it highly effective against maneuvering targets, including advanced fighters and high-value assets like AWACS.
Unlike its predecessors, the Astra MkI (80–110 km range) and MkII (140–160 km range), which rely on conventional rocket motors, the Gandiva’s ramjet propulsion offers superior range and sustained energy, positioning it as a ‘super-BVRAAM’ comparable to the best in the world. Its lightweight design, weighing approximately 220 kg, ensures compatibility with a range of IAF platforms, including the Su-30MKI, HAL Tejas, and potentially Rafale and MiG-29 jets.
Recent images of the Astra MkIII mounted on a Su-30MKI aircraft indicate that captive trials are in progress, a critical step toward validating the missile’s integration with the jet’s avionics, radar, and fire control systems. DRDO officials have confirmed that the project is on track for completion by the end of 2025, with additional captive trials planned to ensure seamless performance. These will be followed by user trials, expected to span 3–4 years, paving the way for induction into the IAF before 2030.
The SFDR technology, a joint Indo-Russian endeavor launched in 2013, has overcome significant hurdles, with successful ground tests conducted since 2017. A notable milestone was achieved in December 2024, when the DRDO validated the system’s propulsion, guidance, and aerodynamics during a static launch at Odisha’s Integrated Test Range. The current in-flight trials on the Su-30MKI mark a pivotal phase, testing the missile’s active radar seeker—likely an indigenous AESA design—and two-way data link for mid-course guidance, which allows real-time target updates from AWACS or the launch platform.
The Astra MkIII ‘Gandiva’ is designed to counter emerging threats, including China’s J-20 stealth fighters and Pakistan’s modernized air force, equipped with missiles like the PL-15 (200–300 km range). With a range of over 300 km and a high-altitude snap-up/down capability of ±10 km, the Gandiva offers the IAF unmatched flexibility to engage targets at extreme distances, surpassing the capabilities of Pakistan’s AIM-120C AMRAAM (105–120 km) and China’s PL-15E (145 km).
Despite its promise, the SFDR program has faced delays due to the complexities of miniaturizing ramjet technology for air-to-air applications. A DRDO official noted in November 2024 that scaling this technology has been slower than anticipated, with full-scale production still years away. Challenges remain in ensuring radar compatibility, datalink reliability, and seeker performance at extreme ranges, particularly against stealthy or electronically jammed targets.
However, the DRDO’s progress, including the development of a Common Ejection Launcher (CEL) for the Astra MkII and MkIII, demonstrates a commitment to overcoming these hurdles. The agency is also exploring two variants of the Gandiva: a standard ramjet model with an AESA seeker and a booster-enhanced version for even greater ranges, targeting force multipliers like refueling aircraft. These advancements position the Gandiva as a cornerstone of India’s aerial arsenal by 2030.
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