After months of talks with global missile manufacturers to procure a missile that can reach beyond visual range (BVR), the Indian Air Force on Sunday announced that it will arm the light combat aircraft (LCA) Tejas with India’s first indigenous air-to-air missile ‘Astra’ meaning weapon.
With an impeccable range of 110km, Astra has been formally integrated with the Sukhoi-30MKI. The new BVR missile will enhance IAF’s capability to strike the enemy in air, without missing the target. Until of late, the Su-30MKI was sported the medium/ long range BVR missiles R-73 and R-77, developed by Russia. The R series missiles according to the IAF does not fulfill the requirement and is too expensive.
Having characteristics similar to the AIM-120 AMRAAM, the ASTRA is one of the high-priority projects with the DRDO. Going ahead, the BVR missile will be integrated with the MiG-29 (fleets) and the Mirage 2000.
The Astra missile integrated with the LCA Tejas will be a counter to Pakistan Air Force (PAF) that had used the AIM-120 AMRAAM in the Balakot air strikes. The IAF had retaliated with Russian missile R-77 that could reach a range of 80km. Astra on the other hand promises impact with a operating pace of 110km.
Referring to the orders in place for the Astra missile, an official was quoted by TOI as saying that, “Once the flight trials on Tejas are completed, large-scale orders will follow.” The Government of India is about to approve the orders for 83 Tejas Mk-1A.
Meanwhile, the experience gained in developing the Astra will facilitate more air launched missile projects as the NGRAM or Rudram-1.
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