SOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG
As India’s Defense Research and Development Organization (DRDO) continues to expand its Beyond Visual Range Air-to-Air Missile (BVRAAM) lineup, the organization is now setting the stage for the development of Astra MkIV, a missile concept tailored to meet the needs of next-generation air combat scenarios. With Astra MkI already operational in the Indian Air Force (IAF) and Astra MkII nearing the end of its development phase, the DRDO is accelerating its roadmap for air-to-air missile systems with Astra MkIII also in the pipeline.
The Astra MkI has solidified its place as a reliable BVRAAM for the IAF, marking India’s first successful indigenous BVRAAM program after over 15 years of research and development. The Astra MkI provides the IAF with an effective weapon to engage hostile aircraft at extended ranges, making it a standard part of the IAF’s armament.
Building on this success, Astra MkII is nearing the completion of its development phase, which promises even greater range and accuracy due to incremental advancements in missile technology. Given the matured foundation from MkI’s development, Astra MkII benefited from streamlined R&D, reducing the time and resources needed to refine and validate its design.
The upcoming Astra MkIV, however, represents a major leap forward. DRDO’s new missile concept is being designed with a specific focus on countering high-speed stealth platforms, expected to be prevalent in the mid-to-late 2030s. Unlike its predecessors, which primarily target traditional fighter jets, the Astra MkIV is aimed at intercepting and neutralizing stealthy, high-maneuverability threats.
According to industrial sources, DRDO has begun the early stages of defining the technology required for Astra MkIV. This missile will likely involve advanced guidance and propulsion systems to counter threats that fly at higher speeds and altitudes, while also incorporating low-probability-of-intercept features to engage stealthy targets. DRDO is actively studying cutting-edge technologies from similar programs globally, exploring concepts such as multi-mode seekers and dual-pulse rocket motors to ensure that the Astra MkIV is both future-ready and capable of evolving with emerging threats.
The Astra MkIV will require extended R&D, given its ambitious goals. DRDO aims to develop a seeker capable of maintaining lock on highly stealthy platforms, necessitating advances in radar and infrared guidance technology. A multi-mode seeker, combining radar with IR capabilities, is under consideration for this purpose, allowing the missile to detect and track low-observable targets across a range of operating conditions.
Another priority is the development of a propulsion system that provides not only extended range but also adaptability for high-speed engagement. This could include new rocket motor technology or even ramjet propulsion, which allows missiles to sustain higher speeds over longer distances.
The IAF is expected to provide detailed specifications and performance expectations for Astra MkIV once initial conceptual work is completed. While the missile remains in the preliminary study phase, DRDO is aligning its research efforts to meet these anticipated requirements, understanding that its work today will lay the foundation for the combat capabilities needed in the 2030s.
If DRDO maintains its current trajectory, Astra MkIV could see prototype testing by the mid-2030s, potentially leading to full-scale production and induction by the late 2030s. This timeline aligns with India’s anticipated development and deployment of the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA), a 5.5-generation stealth fighter that will benefit from a compatible, next-generation missile system like the Astra MkIV.
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