Defence Research and Development Organization (DRDO) is going to test its Astra Mark2, beyond Virtual Range Air-to-Air Missile (BVRAAM) in this week. Astra Mark-2 is the successor of Astra M1, which is India’s first indigenous beyond virtual range air-to-air missile, and has a range of up to 160 kilometers with the latest software patched and multiple modifications.
Astra Mark-2 will be tested from the fighter planes only after the safe release of the missile using a ground launcher with validated propulsion and navigation system. DRDO has already carried out the integration of a missile with the ground launcher and final checks are also done. Astra 1, with a capacity of 110 km range had been already integrated with Su-30MKI in September 2019. DRDO sanctioned the Astra Mark-2 in 2018 and as per its plan, the DRDO successfully completed it within 2 years. DRDO has kept the program on the fast track and most of the developmental trials were carried out in real-world combat situations to complete its trials and move the production stage at a much faster rate.
The Indian Air Force is currently operating 600 to 700 fighter aircrafts, and hence they need a thousand Astra missiles. With air-to-air missiles costing around $ 2 million each, the new successor of Astra will be able to provide more business opportunities to Indian firms. India has been already using the Astra Mk-1 and a new version will be ready for production in 2023. Astra MK-2 used most of the technologies borrowed from other successful missiles like Dual-pulse motor from MRSAM and Seeker from Astra Mark-2, which will definitely provide it a range of around 160 kilometers in the head-on chase and 40 kilometers even in tail chase mode.
Replacing Astra MK1 with Astra MK2 will enable the Indian Air force to place a fresh order for an upgraded missile as the missile is expected to become standardized across the fighter fleet of the Indian air force over the next few years.
