SOURCE: AFI
India’s defense landscape is witnessing a seismic shift with the ongoing in-flight trials of the Astra MkIII, now officially christened “Gandiva” after the legendary bow of Arjuna from the Mahabharata. Powered by a Solid Fuel Ducted Ramjet (SFDR) propulsion system, this beyond-visual-range (BVR) air-to-air missile promises to redefine aerial combat for the Indian Air Force (IAF).
Coupled with the imminent integration of upgraded Gallium Nitride (GaN)-based Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radars on the Tejas MkII and Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA), Gandiva threatens to erode the Dassault Rafale’s long-held technological edge—its Meteor missile—in the IAF’s Multi-Role Fighter Aircraft (MRFA) tender for 110 jets. As indigenous innovation accelerates, the Rafale’s once-unassailable selling point may no longer hold sway.
The Astra MkIII, or Gandiva, represents the pinnacle of India’s missile technology ambitions. Building on the Astra MkI (80–110 km range) and MkII (140–160 km range), Gandiva leverages SFDR propulsion—a joint Indo-Russian project since 2013—to achieve a reported range of 300–350 kilometers at speeds exceeding Mach 4.5. Unlike traditional rocket motors, the SFDR uses atmospheric oxygen to sustain thrust via a throttleable ramjet, extending its reach and enhancing its no-escape zone (NEZ). Ground tests since 2017, culminating in a successful static launch in December 2024 at Odisha’s Integrated Test Range, validated its propulsion, guidance, and aerodynamics. Now, in-flight trials from a Su-30 MKI—spotted with an ejector on its pylon—mark a critical step toward operational readiness.
Gandiva’s capabilities rival the MBDA Meteor, the Rafale’s flagship BVR missile, which boasts a range of over 100 km (extendable at altitude) and a ramjet-powered NEZ that has been a key differentiator in the IAF’s 36-jet Rafale fleet. However, with Gandiva’s superior range and indigenous pedigree, the Meteor’s exclusivity is under threat. Posts on X and defense reports suggest that two flight trials (FT-01 and FT-02) have already demonstrated safe separation from the launcher, with integration planned for the Tejas MkII and AMCA alongside the Su-30 MKI. This multi-platform compatibility could render the Rafale’s missile advantage obsolete.
Complementing Gandiva is the Uttam AESA radar, set to feature Gallium Nitride (GaN) technology on the Tejas MkII and AMCA. Unlike the Rafale’s Gallium Arsenide (GaS)-based RBE2 AESA, GaN offers higher power efficiency, greater range, and improved resistance to jamming—advantages that could outclass the Rafale’s older radar tech. The Uttam, developed by the Electronics and Radar Development Establishment (LRDE), is nearing delivery for the Tejas MkII prototype, expected to roll out by late 2025. With an estimated 1,000–1,200 Transmit/Receive Modules (TRMs), it promises detection ranges competitive with or exceeding the RBE2’s 200 km for fighter-sized targets.
The AMCA, India’s fifth-generation stealth fighter, will further leverage GaN AESA—potentially the Virupaksha radar with 1,400 TRMs—offering a detection range of up to 300 km, as speculated in defense circles. In contrast, Dassault’s plans to upgrade the Rafale’s GaS AESA to GaN by 2030 lag behind India’s timeline, diminishing its edge in the MRFA tender, where cutting-edge avionics are a priority. The IAF’s push for indigenous systems, evidenced by Astra MkI integration on the Su-30 MKI and Tejas Mk1A, suggests a preference for homegrown solutions over foreign imports reliant on restrictive integration policies.
The MRFA tender for 114 jets (downsized from 126 in the original MMRCA) pits the Rafale against contenders like the Eurofighter Typhoon, F/A-18 Super Hornet, Saab Gripen, and Su-35. The Rafale’s 2016 win for 36 jets leaned heavily on the Meteor’s unmatched BVR prowess, a capability the European consortium has resisted integrating onto non-Western platforms like the Su-30 MKI or Tejas. This exclusivity, intended to bolster European fighters in the MRFA race, now faces a counterpunch from Gandiva and GaN AESA-equipped Indian jets.
With the Tejas MkII—slated for first flight in 2026 and induction by 2029 and Gandiva integration, it could outperform the Rafale in simulated air combat exercises. The AMCA, expected in the 2030s, further tilts the scales with stealth and advanced sensors. The Rafale’s GaS AESA and Meteor, while formidable, lack the range and future-proofing of India’s emerging arsenal, weakening its case in a tender emphasizing technology transfer and local production.
Critics argue that Gandiva’s development remains unproven in combat, and GaN AESA integration faces teething issues—challenges that could delay operational deployment. Yet, the IAF’s enthusiasm for Astra MkI and MkII suggests confidence in DRDO’s trajectory. The Rafale, with its proven track record, retains an edge in immediate deployability, but its long-term value in the MRFA tender hinges on concessions that Dassault and MBDA seem reluctant to offer.
NOTE: AFI is a proud outsourced content creator partner of IDRW.ORG. All content created by AFI is the sole property of AFI and is protected by copyright. AFI takes copyright infringement seriously and will pursue all legal options available to protect its content.