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Can India's Astra Missiles Match the World's Best Air-to-Air Weapons?
M
Moneycontrol•16-10-2026, 15:08
Can India's Astra Missiles Match the World's Best Air-to-Air Weapons?
- •The Astra programme, developed by DRDO, is India's indigenous family of beyond-visual-range air-to-air missiles designed to reduce reliance on imported weaponry.
- •Astra Mk1 has entered production and induction, offering a reported range of 80 to 110 km and tested primarily on Sukhoi Su-30MKI fighter jets.
- •Astra Mk2 is currently under development and testing, projected to extend the engagement range to approximately 150 to 160 km.
- •Astra Mk3, also known as Gandiva, is an ambitious very-long-range project utilizing solid-fuel ducted ramjet technology with a projected range of 300 to 350 km.
- •Integration efforts are underway to equip not just the Su-30MKI but also the indigenous Tejas fighter with Astra missiles to streamline fleet upgrades and operational control.
Key Questions Answered
Astra is India's first indigenous family of beyond-visual-range (BVR) air-to-air missiles developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) to allow fighter aircraft to engage airborne threats without close visual contact.
Astra Mk1 is a solid-fuel rocket with an 80-110 km range that is currently in production, Mk2 is an extended-range variant reaching 150-160 km, and Mk3 uses solid-fuel ducted ramjet technology to achieve projected very-long ranges of 300-350 km.
The Sukhoi Su-30MKI has served as the principal aircraft for Astra Mk1 development and testing, and integration efforts are also underway for the indigenous Tejas fighter to reduce reliance on imported weaponry.
