India's Upcoming Astra MKII BVRAAM Showcased at Exercise Bharat Shakti

The recent Exercise Bharat Shakti at Pokhran, Rajasthan, on March 12, 2024, held strategic significance as it featured the unveiling of India's next-generation Beyond-Visual-Range Air-to-Air Missile (BVRAAM), the Astra MKII.

This potent weapon system, still under development, promises to reshape India's air combat capabilities and underscores the nation's commitment to indigenous defense innovation.

The Astra MKII: A New Era in Air Combat​

With an impressive range of 160 kilometers, the Astra MKII is set to become a central pillar of the Indian Air Force's air-to-air arsenal.

This advanced missile will provide a decisive advantage in beyond-visual-range combat scenarios, allowing Indian pilots to engage hostile aircraft well before they pose a direct threat.

Key Advancements​

The Astra MKII marks a substantial leap forward from its predecessor, the Astra Mk-I. Key improvements include:

• Extended Range: A new dual-pulse rocket motor will significantly boost the missile's range, giving it greater reach and flexibility in combat.
• Enhanced Maneuverability: The Astra MKII is expected to exhibit superior agility, making it more difficult for enemy aircraft to evade.
• Jamming Resistance: Advanced electronics and countermeasures will render the missile less vulnerable to electronic warfare attempts by adversaries.

Symbol of Self-Reliance​

Beyond its tactical value, the Astra MKII BVRAAM embodies India's growing self-reliance in defense technology.

The nation's dedication to developing its own world-class weaponry reduces reliance on foreign imports and strengthens its strategic autonomy.

The successful development of the Astra series demonstrates India's prowess in the field of missile technology.

The Future of Indian Air Power​

The Astra MKII BVRAAM heralds a more potent future for the Indian Air Force.

Its integration into frontline fighters will offer a tactical advantage in potential conflicts and further strengthen India's aerial defense posture.

Exercise Bharat Shakti provided a glimpse of this emerging capability, reaffirming India's position as a rising technological force in the defense sector.

 

[Satya Dev]

There were reports of DRDO secretly testing AstraMk3 missile - how true?

 

[sanket]

But how Long wait for Testing / Trials . reading from last year. about trails conducting.

 

[Ysmir Rewari]

Weren't MkII's wings closer to seeker in previous illustrations? This model looks much like MkI

 

[Apocalypse gupta]

There were reports of DRDO secretly testing AstraMk3 missile - how true?

It is also being developed

 

[Apocalypse gupta]

But how Long wait for Testing / Trials . reading from last year. about trails conducting.

These things take long time. I believe that it will stil take 3-4 years more before induction. Astra mk2 employs dual pulse motor. This is advanced technology. India does not have any other missile using it.

 

[NSR]

Astra MkII with 160+km range will make almost all Indian fighters with AESA radars as a formidable fighting forces to reckon with.
Even Jaguars with Israel Elta ELM2052 AESA radar can be formidable if they can carry Astra Mk II, then the enemy has to reckon with them too.

Astra Mk II will be ready by end of 2024.

 

[abhinav srivastava]

IN 2019 they were confident on completing Astra mk2 in 3-4 years. Hope in next 2-3 years it would complete all the tests.

 

[Aravind]

Weren't MkII's wings closer to seeker in previous illustrations? This model looks much like MkI

Even I also thinking the same thing only, they showed dummy model so in that model Astra mk2 have a wings in the beginning of the missile not like astra mk1

 

[Tanishq Bafila]

There were reports of DRDO secretly testing AstraMk3 missile - how true?

Since 2022 DRDO hasn't posting about every test , we get to know about the product in a seminar or through defence journalists & twitter accounts..

There is a huge possibility that DROD tested some A2A missile on the day of AGNI 5 test , as what the video & information is coming out

 

[Tanishq Bafila]

Astra MkII with 160+km range will make almost all Indian fighters with AESA radars as a formidable fighting forces to reckon with.
Even Jaguars with Israel Elta ELM2052 AESA radar can be formidable if they can carry Astra Mk II, then the enemy has to reckon with them too.

Astra Mk II will be ready by end of 2024.

JAGS don't carry long range BVR missiles they usually carry short range A2A missiles & ground bomb and missiles

 

[Aayush Pratap]

These things take long time. I believe that it will stil take 3-4 years more before induction. Astra mk2 employs dual pulse motor. This is advanced technology. India does not have any other missile using it.

The technology has been around for a while, mate, and we do have I Derby/ ER that uses that tech.

 

[Deepak Hegde]

Perfectly Indian way of development- No timelines, totally opaque, no milestones nothing, Just "under development". No accountability for anyone. Developers are doing one big favor on the nation with the "development" !

 

[Apocalypse gupta]

The technology has been around for a while, mate, and we do have I Derby/ ER that uses that tech.

Yes, it is a decade or 1.5 decade old but that does not mean it is not cutting edge. The most advanced AMRAAM uses this tech, and there does not exist a missile with better tech in this class.

 

[Pad UwU]

This badboy should be install in super sukhois su30mki and jaguars don't know if rafale would allow this in their jets😻

 

[Aayush Pratap]

Yes, it is a decade or 1.5 decade old but that does not mean it is not cutting edge. The most advanced AMRAAM uses this tech, and there does not exist a missile with better tech in this class.

It's not really cutting edge anymore. The world is moving on to incorporate triple pulse motors in rounds, DRDO included. As for better tech, Meteor is way ahead compared to any A2A round currently in production and utilizes an entirely different tech.

 

[NSR]

JAGS don't carry long range BVR missiles they usually carry short range A2A missiles & ground bomb and missiles

With Israeli AESA radar upgrade, it may be possible for them to carry one. I wrote if they....

 

[Apocalypse gupta]

It's not really cutting edge anymore. The world is moving on to incorporate triple pulse motors in rounds, DRDO included. As for better tech, Meteor is way ahead compared to any A2A round currently in production and utilizes an entirely different tech.

meteor is a different class of missile since it uses ramjet and it has much greater range. It would be like comparing a sidewinder with an AMRAAM.

 

[Aayush Pratap]

meteor is a different class of missile since it uses ramjet and it has much greater range. It would be like comparing a sidewinder with an AMRAAM.

Whatever happened to there does not exist a missile with a better tech in this class? And no, Meteor is an A2A round just like the AMRAAM you were talking about.

 

[Apocalypse gupta]

Whatever happened to there does not exist a missile with a better tech in this class? And no, Meteor is an A2A round just like the AMRAAM you were talking about.

there are multiple classes of A2A missiles. Sidewinder comes in close combat missile category. AMRAAM comes under medium range (BVR) category and PL-15 and meteor come in long range missile category with 200km+ range.