SOURCE: AFI
India’s Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas Mk1A is set to gain a new weapon in its arsenal – an anti-AWACS (Airborne Warning and Control System) missile based on the DRDO-developed STAR missile. This indigenous missile boasts an impressive range of 300 kilometers, significantly bolstering the Tejas’s ability to counter airborne threats.
The air-to-air variant of the STAR missile is specifically designed to neutralize slow-moving, high-value aerial platforms like AWACS aircraft, aerial refuelers, and airborne jammers. These platforms play a crucial role in enemy air operations, providing critical intelligence and support. By equipping the Tejas Mk1A with this anti-AWACS capability, India can potentially disrupt enemy air tactics and gain a significant advantage in air combat scenarios.
The STAR-based anti-AWACS missile leverages ramjet propulsion, a game-changer in air-to-air combat. Unlike traditional rocket motors, ramjets do not carry their oxidizer (typically oxygen) onboard. Instead, they rely on atmospheric oxygen scooped in during flight, enabling them to achieve much greater range and efficiency.
The 300-kilometer range of the STAR missile allows the Tejas Mk1A to engage enemy AWACS and support aircraft from a safe distance, minimizing its own exposure to threats. Ramjet propulsion enables the missile to maintain high velocity throughout its flight, allowing for quicker engagement and a higher probability of success against even evasive targets.
The combination of the Tejas Mk1A’s agility and the STAR missile’s extended range and speed creates a potent force multiplier. This indigenous weapon system is expected to be highly effective in neutralizing critical enemy airborne assets, potentially turning the tide in aerial conflicts.
The integration of the anti-AWACS missile will signify a significant advancement in India’s indigenous defense capabilities. With this development, the Tejas Mk1A becomes a more versatile and formidable fighter jet, well-equipped to tackle a wider range of aerial threats.