In a major advancement for India's defence self-reliance, the Indian Navy is accelerating to equip its carrier-based fighter jets with the indigenous Astra Mk2 Beyond Visual Range Air-to-Air Missile (BVRAAM).
This advanced, long-range missile will be integrated into the Navy’s existing MiG-29K squadrons and the new fleet of 26 Rafale M fighters, significantly boosting their combat power.
The Astra Mk2, developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), is a state-of-the-art weapon with a range reported to be over 160 kilometres.
It features a sophisticated seeker for improved targeting and a dual-pulse rocket motor, allowing it to engage highly agile targets at extreme distances. This capability is seen as a direct counter to long-range missiles deployed by regional adversaries, such as the Chinese PL-15 and its variants used by Pakistan.
For the Navy's current fleet of MiG-29K fighters, which operate from the aircraft carrier INS Vikramaditya, the integration process is actively underway. This effort involves adapting the missile to the aircraft's existing Zhuk-ME radar system.
Weapon firing trials are expected to begin within the next year, with the missile potentially becoming operational on the MiG-29K by mid-2026, pending successful evaluations.
The Astra Mk2 will also be a primary weapon for the Navy's 26 new Rafale M (Marine) fighters, a deal valued at approximately $7.5 billion that was signed in April 2025.
These advanced jets, set for delivery from 2029, will operate from INS Vikrant and future carriers. Their powerful Thales RBE2-AA Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar is designed to fully exploit the Astra Mk2's long-range capabilities from the outset, ensuring the fleet is future-proof.
This naval modernisation mirrors a similar upgrade within the Indian Air Force (IAF). The IAF is also integrating the Astra missile family onto its 36 Rafale fighters, intending to replace the imported French MICA missiles. The MICA, with a range of approximately 80 km, is now considered insufficient against modern long-range threats.
The shorter-range Astra Mk1, already proven on the Su-30MKI and Tejas platforms with a 90-110 km range, will serve as an immediate replacement for the MICA.
The more advanced Astra Mk2 is projected for integration on the IAF Rafales around 2026-2027. This shift to indigenous missiles is more cost-effective than purchasing upgraded foreign options and strengthens India's domestic defence industry.
This strategic weapons integration is part of a broader collaboration with the French manufacturer, Dassault Aviation. The necessary software modifications also open the possibility of arming the Rafale fleet with other Indian-made weapons, such as the Rudram-1 anti-radiation missile, which is designed to destroy enemy air defence systems.
