Next-Gen Astra Mark II Nears Combat Readiness with Upcoming Trials

The Indian Air Force's advanced Astra Mark II air-to-air missile is approaching a significant milestone, with reports indicating full-configuration developmental trials starting in the coming months. This next-generation weapon offers substantial upgrades over its predecessor, the Astra Mark I.

The Astra Mark II aims to give the Indian Air Force a decisive edge in aerial combat. Its estimated range of 160 kilometers significantly outstrips the Mark I's 110 kilometers, rivaling the capabilities of the internationally renowned AIM-120D missile.

The program has seen promising test results thus far, including successful captive flight trials, ejections, and unguided launches. The next phase will focus on complex scenarios, beginning with testing the missile's Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) seeker, which is vital for targeting enemy aircraft. Further tests will use pilotless target aircraft to assess the Astra Mark II's precision in realistic dogfighting simulations.

Over the next few years, rigorous testing will continue under various launch conditions, targeting both long-distance and close-range engagements. This thorough approach ensures the Astra Mark II's reliability in diverse combat scenarios.

The successful development of the Astra Mark II has the potential to bolster the Indian Air Force's air superiority capabilities, further strengthening India's national defense posture.

 

[sanket]

After Long Time update on Astra MK2 Missile , any way waiting for Su-30 MKI to fire the test Missile .Testing process is expected to continue for next few years.That means another 3 to 4 years req For Induction.

 

[Hari Sud]

Waiting long time to get 160km range A to A missile.

 

[beencensured]

After Long Time update on Astra MK2 Missile , any way waiting for Su-30 MKI to fire the test Missile .Testing process is expected to continue for next few years.That means another 3 to 4 years req For Induction.

Maybe a year more it will take, but then it depends when full configuration trials will take place. They urgently need and for that reason it maybe fast tracked as both China and Pakistan have same class of missile.

 

[sanket]

Maybe a year more it will take, but then it depends when full configuration trials will take place. They urgently need and for that reason it maybe fast tracked as both China and Pakistan have same class of missile.

Even after Finishing successful Trials ,Placing order and Production to delivery may Take atleast 18 months to 24 Months to fall in hand of IAF.

 

[Frank]

At last my prayers have been answered...

Was waiting for mk2 update for so long..

Thank God thank God....

Although it's 2 years late...

 

[Akshat]

Waiting long time to get 160km range A to A missile.

Keep waiting. DRDO is on the job.

 

[Akshat]

Maybe a year more it will take, but then it depends when full configuration trials will take place. They urgently need and for that reason it maybe fast tracked as both China and Pakistan have same class of missile.

DRDO and fast track don’t go hand in hand.

 

[Tls Mani]

There's confusion range.sime reports say 130 sone day 160 as abv. What's the range if Mkii

 

[Aravind]

initially astra mk2 frame is completly different from astra mk1 right but why using the same frame for astra mk2 also?

 

[Pink Panther]

DRDO and fast track don’t go hand in hand.

What fast tracking in Barak, it is already been tested a million times including AESA seeker.

 

[Akshat]

What fast tracking in Barak, it is already been tested a million times including AESA seeker.

Yet they can’t test fire it after so many years.

 

[Pink Panther]

Yet they can’t test fire it after so many years.

They won't tell this in public.

 

[Indian1]

Even after Finishing successful Trials ,Placing order and Production to delivery may Take atleast 18 months to 24 Months to fall in hand of IAF.

That means it will not be deployed in this century

 

[Akshat]

They won't tell this in public.

They do it with all their missiles. From Naah to Agni.

 

[Pink Panther]

They do it with all their missiles. From Naah to Agni.

you mean not telling to public?

 

[Akshat]

you mean not telling to public?

I mean boasting about them to the public. Shouting from the rooftops even before they are ready for use.

 

[Pink Panther]

I mean boasting about them to the public. Shouting from the rooftops even before they are ready for use.

But this missile is different, Israel was already making comments about proliferation and copyrights as Astra MK2 is to the most part identcal to Barak, they won't talk much about this missile in Public.

 

[Akshat]

But this missile is different, Israel was already making comments about proliferation and copyrights as Astra MK2 is to the most part identcal to Barak, they won't talk much about this missile in Public.

Same comments were made about Soike as well yet we got bolt by bolt update for ATGM.

 

[Indian1]

120-130 km range Astra MK-II (range as per Hindustan Times) will give India an edge over 160 km AIM-120-D of Pakistan.