IAF Drops Israeli I-Derby ER Integration Plans for Su-30MKI and Tejas to Support Local Astra Missiles

In a move to bolster its indigenous defence capabilities, the Indian Air Force (IAF) has decided to prioritize the integration of the domestically developed Astra MkI and MkII missiles over the Israeli I-Derby ER Beyond Visual Range Air-to-Air Missiles (BVRAAMs). This strategic shift means the IAF will no longer equip its Su-30MKI, Mk1A, and MkII fleet with the I-Derby ER, opting instead to support the local Astra missile program.

The IAF's prior interest in the I-Derby, particularly its older variant integrated into the SPYDER air defence system, was primarily a stop-gap measure. The I-Derby's limited range of under 100 kilometers did not align with the IAF's long-term operational needs. While the I-Derby ER's extended range presented a more attractive proposition, the Astra MkII's comparable capabilities and the strategic advantages of domestic production tipped the scales in its favor.

Despite the decision to forgo the I-Derby ER, the successful test-firing of an I-Derby missile from a Tejas Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) in 2021 remains a significant achievement. It demonstrated the Tejas's potential to integrate with advanced BVRAAMs and provided valuable insights into its beyond-visual-range combat capabilities.

Meanwhile, the Astra MkII program is progressing steadily. Captive trials, including realize trials, have been concluded, and even the missile's unguided Dual-Pulse Rocket motor has been tested in unguided mode. Full configuration trials are currently pending.

This decision underscores the IAF's commitment to self-reliance and its confidence in the capabilities of indigenous defence technologies. The prioritization of the Astra missiles not only strengthens India's defence industrial base but also contributes to its strategic autonomy in the long run.

 

[sanket]

BVR Astra series should b preferred on all Fighter Fleet Including Mirage-2000.Atleast IDerby ER has 100 kM Range what about MICA which is Integrated on MIrage-2000 Fleet. start from Mirage -2000 Fleet integration of BVR Astra series.

 

[abhinav srivastava]

Astra MK2 should be expedited.

 

[NSR]

That is wonderful to know.
And then Astra Mk II with 160+ kms intercept range will come out by end of this year and go into production in 2025.
And then in few years, Solid Fuel Ducted Ramjet (SFDR) engine based Astra Mk III with 250+ kms range will come out and give MOKSHAM to IAF and Indian citizens.

Israel is a good friend but it played hardball with all the missile sales and TOTs/IPs for 100% funded MRSAM and LRSAM.
Perhaps they will change and do real 50:50 joint projects with profits for both from sales of those armaments.

 

[Ranjeet Singh]

India should get tech from USA to make Sidewinder missile !

 

[Aravind Raveendran]

This is a pleasant surprise from the IAF.
It's a morale booster for the ones involved in developing the missile.

 

[Baka007]

That is wonderful to know.
And then Astra Mk II with 160+ kms intercept range will come out by end of this year and go into production in 2025.
And then in few years, Solid Fuel Ducted Ramjet (SFDR) engine based Astra Mk III with 250+ kms range will come out and give MOKSHAM to IAF and Indian citizens.

Israel is a good friend but it played hardball with all the missile sales and TOTs/IPs for 100% funded MRSAM and LRSAM.
Perhaps they will change and do real 50:50 joint projects with profits for both from sales of those armaments.

IAF will do countless trials and use foreign maal as "stop gap measure"

 

[Sandeep]

This is good news and it should now be the new norm and mantra for the air force. To buy any new missiles or bombs then the only choice is to buy an indigenous weapon first. If we lack any weapons and technology capabilities that we need then they should only buy a small amount of foreign weapons until we have developed that weapon and capability indigenously.

There is a lot of Israeli, Russian and USA missiles and bombs that we have bought and use which needs to be reduced as quick as possible. At the same time India should continue to install and integrate those foreign weapons with our jets because it gives us a very diverse range of weapons that can be used in any emergency situation and not just reliant on one country who can deny or delay selling those weapons but also hike the price at a exorbitant rate. It’s also possible that we might have a low stock on any Indian weapons and we might need to buy some foreign weapon in an emergency such as having a border skirmish or under the threat of war. Having those foreign weapons already installed and integrated on our jets would mean that we can operationalise those weapons immediately without having to take a long time in running a lot of tests before we can safely use it.

Also India needs to ensure that all missiles and bombs should be 100% indigenously designed, developed, manufactured and with Indian raw materials/content to make sure that we are completely self reliant. We can’t be completely self reliant if we have to buy any foreign parts and components like the GPS or radio frequency seeker.

 

[Pramkumar]

IAF must cancel the MRFA and go for the MK1B, MK2 and AMCA. and should take the ORCA as replacement of Su-30MKI form 2036-37 onwards itself with 5th gen tech instead of wating till 2050

 

[SK]

This is a good news, I hope we get to see an Indigenous CCM very soon

 

[Sridhar]

That is wonderful to know.
And then Astra Mk II with 160+ kms intercept range will come out by end of this year and go into production in 2025.
And then in few years, Solid Fuel Ducted Ramjet (SFDR) engine based Astra Mk III with 250+ kms range will come out and give MOKSHAM to IAF and Indian citizens.

Israel is a good friend but it played hardball with all the missile sales and TOTs/IPs for 100% funded MRSAM and LRSAM.
Perhaps they will change and do real 50:50 joint projects with profits for both from sales of those armaments.

With little modifications , this missile can be converted into MR SAM or e LR SAM. The development process would be relatively short can be deployed real fast .

 

[Akshat]

IAF will do countless trials and use foreign maal as "stop gap measure"

Of course they have to, when the product is useless (like ATAGS) and MoD won't let them reject it because DRDO's ego needs to be caressed.

 

[Akshat]

With little modifications , this missile can be converted into MR SAM or e LR SAM. The development process would be relatively short can be deployed real fast .

Short development process? With DRDO? 🤣🤣🤣

 

[Akshat]

IAF must cancel the MRFA and go for the MK1B, MK2 and AMCA. and should take the ORCA as replacement of Su-30MKI form 2036-37 onwards itself with 5th gen tech instead of wating till 2050

Forget all that. Where are the FOC trainers? 🤣🤣🤣

 

[Akshat]

This is a good news, I hope we get to see an Indigenous CCM very soon

Not in this decade, at the very least. (I mean, operational status)

 

[NSR]

With little modifications , this missile can be converted into MR SAM or e LR SAM. The development process would be relatively short can be deployed real fast .

Yes indeed.
But DRDO is working on Akash ING, ERSAM, XRSAM, etc in parallel.
Some of these technologies are useful across all programs.
India is getting ready to become a missile power.

 

[sishir]

It is good news for IAF. We should have the best of the world missiles and bombs, as we have a dangerous envoirment around us. Since we are going economically as a country, we need to be superior then our neighbours in protecting
Us. What we don't have and needs long time for development, we must import or make joint venture with private enterprises. The technology is changing, in one decade what we feel is good may not be the world class. Money must be provided for these procurement. The babus in defence ministry must move there ass a little faster for national security.

 

[R. Singh]

Tejas fighter under wing pylons should be at par with Rafale aerodynamic shape pylons each carrying two or three Astra-missiles according to mission requirements ! Further upgrade Astra-I to have 120 KM range Astra-II 160+ KM and Astra-III 300+KM range !