SOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG
India has extended a significant offer to Vietnam to equip its Su-27 and Su-30 fighter jets with the Astra Mk1 Beyond Visual Range Air-to-Air Missile (BVRAAM), a move that could further strengthen defence ties between the two nations. The Vietnamese People’s Air Force (VPAF) currently operates a fleet of 10 Su-27 Flanker combat aircraft, alongside 35 Su-30 multirole fighters, both of which could benefit from the advanced capabilities of the Astra Mk1 missile.
The Astra Mk1 is India’s first indigenously developed BVRAAM, designed to engage aerial targets at ranges beyond the visual line of sight. Developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), the Astra Mk1 features advanced guidance systems, enabling it to track and intercept enemy aircraft with high precision, even in contested environments.
The missile is already in operational service with the Indian Air Force (IAF), having been integrated with the Su-30MKI fleet, and it plays a crucial role in enhancing the IAF’s air superiority. With more than 400 Astra Mk1 missiles already inducted or ordered, the production capacity for the missile has been significantly ramped up to meet the growing demand.
Vietnam’s current fleet of Su-27 and Su-30 aircraft would benefit from the Astra Mk1’s advanced features, including its ability to engage targets at extended ranges, giving the VPAF an enhanced capability for both air superiority and defensive operations. The integration of this missile into Vietnam’s existing fleet would significantly improve its operational efficiency, especially in the event of conflicts where long-range interception is critical.
In addition to its deployment on the Su-30MKI, the Astra Mk1 will also be the primary air-to-air missile for India’s Tejas Mk1A fleet, which is currently being inducted into the Indian Air Force. The Tejas Mk1A, a lightweight multirole fighter, will be equipped with the Astra Mk1 as its main BVRAAM, providing it with a much-needed edge in air combat scenarios. This will further bolster the missile’s prominence in India’s future defence strategies, both domestically and for export.
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