Astra Mk3 ( Gandiva ) Missile Gears Up for Trials with Unmatched Strike Capabilities
India is preparing to enter a new era of air combat dominance as its latest long-range air-to-air missile, the Astra Mk3, officially named ‘Gandiva’, nears a crucial stage of live-fire trials. This powerful weapon, developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), is set to become a game-changer for the Indian Air Force (IAF) by delivering precision strikes against high-value targets, including stealth aircraft and airborne command systems, from staggering distances.
Taking inspiration from the legendary bow of Arjuna in the Mahabharata, Gandiva is not just a symbolic name—it reflects the missile's strength and reach. With a maximum range of around 350 km, this Beyond Visual Range Air-to-Air Missile (BVRAAM) offers the IAF the ability to engage hostile aircraft well before they become a threat.
What sets Gandiva apart from earlier versions of the Astra missile is its Solid Fuel Ducted Ramjet (SFDR) propulsion system. Unlike conventional missiles that carry both fuel and oxidizer, the SFDR uses atmospheric oxygen to burn its solid fuel, making the missile lighter and more efficient. This design enables Gandiva to fly faster and longer, achieving speeds of up to Mach 4.5, more than four times the speed of sound.
One of Gandiva’s most remarkable capabilities is its expanded "no-escape zone". This is the critical area in which a locked target cannot outrun or dodge the missile, regardless of how fast or agile it may be. With a throttleable engine, Gandiva can adjust its speed mid-flight and reserve energy for the final strike phase, increasing its chances of destroying even highly manoeuvrable fighter jets, stealth aircraft, and AWACS platforms.
After a successful ground-based test in December 2024 at Odisha’s Integrated Test Range, which verified the functioning of its indigenous ramjet engine and radar seeker, DRDO is now planning full-fledged live-fire trials. These tests are meant to simulate real combat situations and assess the missile’s behavior under extreme conditions.
At the same time, the missile is undergoing integration trials with the Su-30MKI, India’s primary air superiority fighter. These captive carriage flights are essential to ensure flawless communication between the aircraft and the missile system. Once these tests are completed successfully, Gandiva will also be integrated with other IAF aircraft like the HAL Tejas, MiG-29, Rafale, and future fighters such as the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA).
With its combination of extreme speed, advanced propulsion, and long-range target-killing precision, Gandiva is poised to outperform rival systems like China’s PL-15 and Pakistan’s AIM-120C AMRAAM. As part of India's push for defence self-reliance under the Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiative, this missile stands as a proud symbol of homegrown technological excellence.
Once inducted, Gandiva will become a critical part of India's air dominance strategy—ensuring that any threat in the skies can be countered swiftly, decisively, and from a distance far beyond enemy reach.
