IAF to Soon Procure 700 Indigenous Astra Mk-2 Missiles; DRDO Working to Extend Range Beyond 200 km

The Indian Air Force (IAF) is set to bolster its aerial combat capabilities with the upcoming procurement of around 700 indigenous Astra Mk-2 beyond-visual-range air-to-air missiles (BVRAAMs). Developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), the Astra Mk-2 represents a significant leap in India’s quest for self-reliance in advanced missile technology. While production has begun in limited numbers, the DRDO is simultaneously working to enhance the missile’s range to over 200 km, along with the development of an advanced Gallium Nitride (GaN)-based seeker for superior target tracking and resistance to jamming.

The Astra Mk-2 project is an evolution of the Astra Mk-1, which is already operational with the Indian Air Force. The Mk-2 variant builds upon the Mk-1’s solid foundation, introducing a longer-range propulsion system, improved seeker technology, and enhanced electronic counter-countermeasure (ECCM) capabilities. DRDO scientists have confirmed that the Mk-2 missile is currently undergoing final developmental and user trials, with full-scale production expected to commence once certification and operational clearance are granted.

The Astra Mk-2 employs a dual-pulse rocket motor, unlike the Mk-1’s single-pulse design, enabling sustained propulsion throughout flight. This advanced propulsion gives the missile greater energy during terminal phases, ensuring a higher kill probability against maneuvering targets at extended ranges. The missile’s effective range is expected to exceed 160 km, with DRDO’s ongoing efforts aimed at surpassing the 200 km mark, placing it in the same league as advanced BVRAAMs such as the AIM-120D and PL-15.

In terms of guidance, the Astra Mk-2 features an indigenous active radar seeker, developed using advanced RF and AESA technologies. The seeker provides improved detection and tracking capabilities, especially in high electronic warfare environments. DRDO is also transitioning to GaN-based transmit-receive modules (TRMs) in the seeker, which will offer higher power efficiency, better heat tolerance, and superior anti-jamming performance compared to traditional GaAs-based systems. This GaN seeker will not only improve the missile’s lock-on range but also increase its resistance to electronic deception and countermeasures — an essential requirement in modern air combat.

Another area of improvement lies in the missile’s onboard datalink and avionics. The Astra Mk-2 can receive mid-course guidance updates from the launching aircraft, enabling it to adjust its trajectory mid-flight based on updated target information. This network-centric capability allows coordinated targeting and increases engagement accuracy against fast or evasive aerial threats.

Compared to the Astra Mk-1, which has a maximum range of about 110 km, the Mk-2’s longer reach will allow the IAF to engage enemy aircraft long before they can launch their own weapons. The Mk-2 will be integrated initially with the Su-30MKI and Tejas Mk-1A fighters, with future plans to adapt it for the Rafale, Mirage-2000, and MiG-29UPG platforms. The Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL) has been identified as the primary production partner, ensuring that mass production can begin once user trials conclude successfully.

Development of the Astra Mk-2 began around 2019, following the successful operationalization of the Mk-1. By 2023, DRDO had completed ground tests of the propulsion system, and by 2024–2025, multiple successful flight and seeker trials were conducted from Su-30MKI platforms. Sources indicate that integration and live-fire certification are in their final stages, paving the way for large-scale induction by 2026–2027.

The introduction of the Astra Mk-2 will significantly enhance India’s air-to-air warfare capabilities, reducing dependence on foreign missiles such as the Russian R-77 and French MICA. Its indigenous design not only lowers long-term costs but also ensures strategic autonomy in production and upgrades. With DRDO’s continuing efforts to perfect a GaN-based seeker and achieve beyond-200 km performance, the Astra Mk-2 is poised to become one of the most advanced air-to-air missiles in Asia.

In the long term, the Astra Mk-2 will serve as the foundation for the upcoming Astra Mk-3 (Gandiva) program — an even more ambitious missile designed to rival the longest-range BVRAAMs in service worldwide. Together, these developments signal a decisive step toward India’s vision of a fully indigenous missile ecosystem capable of meeting both present and future aerial combat challenges.