DRDO Unveil ' KS-172' India’s AWACS Killer Resurfaces Alongside Astra Mk3
In a surprising confirmation at the Kerala AeroExpo 2025, a DRDO presentation slide has reignited interest in two major air-to-air missile (AAM) programs that had long been mired in ambiguity and speculation — the Novator KS-172 and the Astra Mk3. What was once thought to be vaporware or dead-end concepts has now emerged with concrete parameters, hinting at a resurgent Indian interest in long-range air dominance and counter-AWACS capabilities.
KS-172: Rumor No More?
For years, the KS-172 was considered a Russian-origin experimental missile, often discussed in niche military forums but rarely taken seriously due to its elusive development status and lack of deployment. Once envisioned as a "AWACS killer" with a massive range of over 400 km, the program had appeared to fizzle out.
However, the DRDO slide shown at Kerala AeroExpo now explicitly lists the Novator KS-172 as a BVRAAM (Beyond Visual Range Air-to-Air Missile) with:
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Range: 300 km
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Speed: Mach 3.3
This strongly suggests either a revival of the program in collaboration with Russia, or more intriguingly, an indigenous DRDO-led version of the KS-172, potentially as a co-developed or licensed derivative.
If DRDO is indeed actively developing this missile, it fills a critical void in India’s aerial arsenal: a long-range AAM designed to target high-value support aircraft such as AWACS, refueling tankers, or standoff jammers — all key nodes in adversarial air networks like China’s PLAAF.
Technical Aspects:
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Likely to be powered by a dual-stage solid motor, possibly with terminal active radar homing.
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Its range allows standoff targeting of support aircraft well outside conventional fighter engagement envelopes.
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Could complement India’s Su-30MKI fleet, known for their range and endurance — ideal platforms for launching such weapons.
Astra Mk3 Is Not What We Thought
Equally intriguing is the listing of the Astra Mk3 as a separate missile from what many had previously assumed to be the Astra Mk3 SFDR variant — a ramjet-powered missile now identified as Gandiva. In the AeroExpo slide:
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Astra Mk3 is listed with:
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Range: 350 km
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Speed: Mach 4.5
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Type: BVRAAM (non-ramjet)
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This clearly differentiates it from the Solid Fuel Ducted Ramjet (SFDR) variant, which has been under development in collaboration with Russia’s assistance on propulsion tech.
The Astra Mk3, therefore, appears to be:
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A conventional solid-fuel missile, possibly a scaled-up derivative of Astra Mk2.
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Designed for high-speed, extended-range engagements, most likely with dual-pulse motors.
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Potentially integrating Indian seekers and guidance algorithms for terminal-phase accuracy.
This implies Gandiva (SFDR) and Astra Mk3 are now distinct branches in India’s air-to-air missile roadmap — one focused on ramjet propulsion for sustained thrust and energy maneuverability, the other using conventional rocket motors but enhanced kinematic reach.
AAM Landscape at a Glance (As per the Presentation Slide)
| Missile | Range | Speed | Remarks |
|---|---|---|---|
| Astra Mk1 | 110 km | Mach 4.5 | In service |
| Astra Mk2 | 160 km | Mach 4.5 | Under induction |
| Astra Mk3 | 350 km | Mach 4.5 | New solid-fuel long-range missile |
| SFDR (Gandiva) | 350 km | Mach 4.5 | Ramjet-powered variant |
| KS-172 | 300 km | Mach 3.3 | AWACS killer – surprise reappearance |
| MICA | 60 km | Mach 4 | French-origin, in use on Mirage-2000 |
Strategic Implications: AAM Supremacy in the Making
With this expanded missile family, India’s air-to-air doctrine is undergoing a dramatic shift — from reactive defense to strategic preemption. The combination of:
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Gandiva SFDR for agile dogfights and long-range kills,
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Astra Mk3 for deep strike against enemy combat air patrols,
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KS-172 for targeting high-value aerial assets,
means the IAF could soon be capable of multi-layered, long-range engagement across the entire aerial battlespace.
These systems also counterbalance Chinese advances in long-range AAMs like the PL-15 and rumored PL-21, and represent a maturation of India's indigenous missile development ecosystem.
Clear Skies Ahead for Indigenous Air Combat Tech
While final confirmation and deployment timelines are awaited, the AeroExpo 2025 slide serves as a clear indicator of DRDO’s expansive and maturing roadmap for air-to-air missile dominance.
What was once speculation around KS-172 has now emerged as a visible project. And Astra Mk3, no longer to be confused with the SFDR/Gandiva program, seems to be a formidable missile in its own right.
India’s AAM landscape is no longer playing catch-up — it is charging ahead, with high-speed, high-altitude precision systems that could dominate future skies.
