SOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG
In a significant move towards enhancing its air combat capabilities and reducing dependency on foreign weaponry, the Indian Air Force (IAF) is reportedly planning to phase out the outdated MICA infrared (IR) and radio frequency (RF) air-to-air missiles currently equipping its fleet of 36 Rafale fighter jets.
Instead, the IAF aims to integrate the locally developed Astra Mk1 and MkII Beyond Visual Range Air-to-Air Missiles (BVRAAMs), which are considered superior to the MICA variants in terms of range, performance, and cost-effectiveness.
The Rafale jets, acquired from France’s Dassault Aviation in a 2016 deal, are equipped with the MICA IR and RF missiles as their primary BVRAAMs. While the MICA system—developed by MBDA—has been a reliable weapon in its time, its range of approximately 80 km is now considered limited in the context of modern aerial warfare, where longer-range engagements are increasingly the norm. With adversaries like China fielding advanced fighters armed with missiles such as the PL-15 (with ranges exceeding 200 km) and Pakistan potentially acquiring similar long-range weaponry, the IAF recognizes the need for BVRAAMs that can engage targets at greater distances and offer superior electronic countermeasures (ECCM) capabilities.
The MICA IR and RF missiles, though versatile with their dual seeker options (infrared for close-range and radar-guided for beyond-visual-range engagements), lack the range and technological edge required to counter emerging threats. Moreover, the high cost of maintaining and upgrading foreign missile systems has prompted the IAF to seek alternatives that provide comparable or better performance at a fraction of the cost—leading to a renewed focus on India’s indigenous Astra missile family.
The Astra series of BVRAAMs, developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and produced by Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL), has emerged as a game-changer for India’s air combat capabilities. The Astra Mk1, already in operational service with the IAF on platforms like the Su-30 MKI and LCA Tejas, boasts a range of 90-110 km, surpassing the MICA’s 80 km. It features a high-performance active radar seeker, smokeless propulsion, and advanced ECCM capabilities, making it a formidable weapon against modern fighters and drones. The missile’s integration into the Rafale fleet has already been greenlit, with Dassault Aviation tasked with the necessary modifications to the aircraft’s fire control system and software to accommodate the Astra Mk1.
Building on the success of the Mk1, the Astra MkII is under development and promises even greater performance, with a projected range of 130-160 km, placing it in the same league as advanced BVRAAMs like the AIM-120D AMRAAM and PL-15E. The MkII variant incorporates dual-pulse rocket motor technology for enhanced endgame performance, improved seeker sensitivity, and better manoeuvrability, making it well-suited for engaging agile targets at extended ranges. Sources cited by idrw.org indicate that the IAF is keen to integrate the Astra MkII into the Rafale fleet once it completes its development and testing phases, expected by 2026-2027.
MBDA, the manufacturer of the MICA missile, has been working on the MICA-NG (Next Generation) variant, which promises a range of around 120-150 km and improved seeker technology to counter advanced threats. The company plans to offer the MICA-NG to India and other Rafale operators as an upgrade option. However, idrw.org sources within the IAF suggest that there is little enthusiasm for this proposal, primarily due to the exorbitant cost of the MICA-NG. The IAF believes that the Astra MkII will deliver comparable range and capabilities at a significantly lower price point, making it a more viable option for large-scale induction across its fighter fleet.
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