Astra Mk3 Enters Critical Phase: DRDO Gears Up for Late 2024 Inflight Trials

India is stepping closer to a major advancement in its air defense capabilities with the upcoming inflight trials of the Astra Mk3 air-to-air missile. According to sources familiar with the program, these trials could begin as early as late 2024 or early 2025.

This news arrives after the Indian Ministry of Defense's 2023 year-end review highlighted the impressive strides made by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) in air-to-air missile technology.

The review noted the successful testing of a new air-to-air missile featuring a groundbreaking "Solid Fuel Ducted Ramjet" (SFDR) propulsion system. This successful test laid the foundation for the ambitious Astra Mk3 program.

The Astra Program: A History of Success​

The Astra Mk3 is part of the ongoing Astra missile development program, which has seen India become increasingly self-reliant in air-to-air missile technology.

The initial Astra Mk1 entered service with the Indian Air Force in 2019, providing a capable beyond-visual-range (BVR) weapon for fighter aircraft. The planned Astra Mk2 focuses on range enhancements and improved electronic counter-countermeasures (ECCM).

The Astra Mk3: A Game-Changer​

The Astra Mk3 takes this development to the next level. With a projected range exceeding 350 kilometers, it aims to compete with top-tier BVR missiles like the European Meteor.

This extended reach significantly increases the Indian Air Force's ability to neutralize high-value enemy aircraft such as Airborne Warning and Control Systems (AWACS) and aerial refueling tankers. Destroying these force-multiplying assets would significantly weaken an adversary's aerial combat capability.

Implications for India's Air Defence​

The successful deployment of the Astra Mk3 would dramatically boost India's regional air superiority.

When paired with modern fighter jets like the Dassault Rafale and the indigenously developed Tejas, the Astra Mk3 provides a potent tool to deter and defend against potential adversaries – a vital consideration given the ongoing geopolitical tensions in the region.

Conclusion​

The upcoming Astra Mk3 trials are a significant milestone in India's journey towards self-reliance in advanced missile technology.

If successful, this next-generation weapon will place India among a select group of nations capable of fielding such long-range air combat systems, bolstering its overall defense posture and marking a major advancement in the country's aerospace capabilities.

 

[sanket]

Astra MK2 ..................?? there is No update on Astra MK2 and Direct Inflight Trials of Astra MK3 Secondly is it for Big Target Like AWACS /Refuelling Tankers ,Transport Military Plane , i thought it is will also (Dual) used to kill Highly Agile Fighter jets..as mentioned in Article Game changer for Neutralising AWACS & Tankers. which are slow moving TargetCompare to Highly maneourable Fighter jets.

 

[NSR]

Great news to hear about SFDR based Astra Mk3 which will be our own Meteor.

Astra Mk2 with intercept range of 160+ kms had its first drop test from SU-30MKI in May 2022.
Astra Mk2 is also going through rigorous trials too this year and will be fielded soon too.

Way to go!!!

 

[Superpower Bharat]

Astra MK2 ..................?? there is No update on Astra MK2 and Direct Inflight Trials of Astra MK3 Secondly is it for Big Target Like AWACS /Refuelling Tankers ,Transport Military Plane , i thought it is will also (Dual) used to kill Highly Agile Fighter jets..as mentioned in Article Game changer for Neutralising AWACS & Tankers. which are slow moving TargetCompare to Highly maneourable Fighter jets.

For awacs type target range is 350 km for fighter jet it will be around 200-250 km.. and I think mk2 already tested secretly..
May be induction by year end.

Rumours is also there that Mk 3 already tested on 11th March along with Agni V MIRV

 

[Mango_Indian]

What happened to Astra Mk2 ? It is over 3 years since it was declared to have cleared in flight carriage tests and since then no live test has been done…

Wonder when our parrot media will actually do some research before publishing these kind of news.

 

[Akshat]

If true, this will again prove my earlier hypothesis. People here were claiming that mk3 has been launched and hit the target and now orders shall be placed and what not. Clearly, the tests in the MoD review were either dumb trials or launched from ground.

 

[Sandeep]

Hopefully they can develop it successfully and as soon as possible because we need the long range to hit targets before they reach our borders and not just for AWACS or air tankers. It's also important that we speed up developing the entire spectrum of BVRAAM from Astra IR, MK1, MK2 and MK3 which will cut down on foreign expensive imports.

 

[abhinav srivastava]

We must expedite Astra MK2 as well. Without it, advantage will be with our adversaries.

 

[Pink Panther]

For awacs type target range is 350 km for fighter jet it will be around 200-250 km.. and I think mk2 already tested secretly..
May be induction by year end.

Yes that is exactly what I thought.

 

[Pink Panther]

Astra MK2 ..................?? there is No update on Astra MK2 and Direct Inflight Trials of Astra MK3 Secondly is it for Big Target Like AWACS /Refuelling Tankers ,Transport Military Plane , i thought it is will also (Dual) used to kill Highly Agile Fighter jets..as mentioned in Article Game changer for Neutralising AWACS & Tankers. which are slow moving TargetCompare to Highly maneourable Fighter jets.

Astra MK2 must have already been inducted or at-least production ready, conceptually it is same as MRSAM (Barak 8) , so they might have kept all the news about that missile under wraps on purpose, so that there is no unnecessary noise about it.

 

[desigandu]

Great, as India will solve the range problem and operationalize the 350+KMs Astra-3, but as we know targetting over long distances is more complex than just having the range, especially against highly mobile targets (Fighters, Tankers, AWACSs, Transports, Drones and even other missiles), thus unlike limited targeting over long ranges as we have today, battlespace situational awareness is key - can we know the precise location of the fast moving enemy assets in real time, so our weapon can change course (with active propulsion) and strike (same problems with Anti-Ship Ballistic missiles)...Therefore either we have ground, air or space based sensors (or a combination due to inherent limitations and threats from anti-radiation weapons) wherein we have the 1st two, but lack good, precise, continuous and real time coverage from a VLEO/LEO constellation (ISR, Communications, PNT including early warning sensors, Internet etc)...It is time for India to start fielding such capability (in phases) over the Subcontinent + at least 3000KMs around us...This may require at least 1000+ satellites in VLEO/LEO with a refresh rate of 400+ per year (given life of 2.5-3 years + redundancy etc...)...Building such a constellation may require a $5B capex spend and then about $1-2B per year (refresh + maintenance)...This cost can be shared with a public-private partnership wherein the assets can primarily be used for internet, cellphone backup etc., and also by the military (Think Starlink and now Starshield which is global)...Someone like TATAs, Reliance (especially given they have Jio), and Bharati (UK company) can form a JV with a GOI entity and ISRO + private players can execute the launches...Doable, needed and urgent to be in place by 2030.