IAF set to receive first ‘Made-In-India’ Astra Mk-1 missiles by end of 2023

Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL) is on track to enhance the Indian Air Force’s (IAF) air-to-air capabilities with the delivery of the ‘Made-in-India’ Astra Beyond Visual Range (BVR) Air-to-Air Missile (AAM) by the end of 2023. In May 2022, the IAF placed orders for 248 Astra Mk-1 BVR missiles, 200 for the IAF and 48 for the Indian Navy, from the state-owned BDL. The first batch of these missiles is set to be delivered by the end of 2023, and the entire order will be completed within six years from the contract signing.

These advanced AAMs have been designed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and possess the capability to target various aerial threats, including enemy fighter jets, drones, helicopters, cruise missiles, and cargo planes. They can achieve this at a maximum range of over 100 kilometers when fired from high-altitudes.

A significant milestone was reached on August 23 when DRDO successfully tested the Astra missile from the ‘Made-in-India’ Tejas fighter jet off the coast of Goa. This marked the first time an indigenous air-to-air missile was tested from an indigenously designed and developed fighter jet. Before this breakthrough, the Astra missile had only been integrated with the Russian Sukhoi Su-30 MKI fighter jets.

The IAF has strategic plans to make the Astra series of missiles the cornerstone of its offensive fighter fleet. Integration of these missiles is already planned for the Mig-29, future Tejas Mk-1A, and Tejas Mk-2 fighter jets.

Moreover, there are ongoing efforts to develop an even more advanced and longer-range Astra Mk-2 missile. Static firing tests for this missile have already been conducted. The Astra Mk-2 BVR missile is expected to have a striking range of more than 160 kilometers and will be equipped with a dual-pulse rocket motor, making it exceptionally lethal during its terminal phase.

Celebration of the IAF’s 90th anniversary

In October last year, as part of the celebration of the IAF’s 90th anniversary, a promotional video was released by the IAF showcasing a dummy-ejection test of the Astra Mk-2 missile from a Su-30 MKI fighter jet.

The development of another advanced and longer-range missile, the Astra Mk-3, is also underway. This missile will utilize a solid-fueled ducted ramjet (SFDR) engine, which will provide it with an impressive maximum striking range of more than 300 kilometers. The Astra Mk-3 missile is expected to rival the primary long-range Meteor BVR missile used by the French-made Rafale fighter jet.

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