In News:

• India is set to make a major leap in its air-to-air weapon capability with the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) upgrading the Astra Mk-2 air-to-air missile.
• The missile’s range is being extended to beyond 200 kilometres, marking a significant improvement over earlier versions and positioning India among the few nations with such long-range Beyond Visual Range (BVR) missile technology.
• This upgrade is part of India’s broader push towards defenceindigenisation under the Aatmanirbhar Bharat vision.

Importance and Context

• The Astra programme reflects India's commitment to reducing dependence on foreign defence systems, strengthening self-reliance, and enhancing air superiority capabilities.
• The Astra Mk-1, with a range of around 90–110 km, has already been successfully inducted by the Indian Air Force (IAF) and proven operationally, including during Operation Sindoor.
• The Mk-2 variant, now under advanced development, will boost India's long-range interception capability, enabling IAF aircraft to engage enemy targets from well outside hostile air defence zones—an essential capability in modern aerial combat.

Key Features and Technological Advancements

• The Astra Mk-2 will be an extended-range, next-generation BVR missile capable of striking targets over 200 km away.
• It will employ a dual-pulse solid rocket motor, which provides an initial burst of acceleration followed by a second ignition phase for enhanced end-game manoeuvrability and precision. This propulsion design ensures higher terminal speed and greater accuracy compared to single-pulse missiles.
• The missile is expected to fly at speeds close to Mach 4.5 and will be equipped with a fully indigenous Radio Frequency (RF) seeker, fibre-optic gyroscopes, and advanced electronic countermeasure (ECM) resistance, making it highly effective in electronic warfare environments.
• Physically, the missile will be larger and heavier than its predecessor, with an estimated diameter of around 190 mm and a weight of approximately 175 kg. Its enhanced aerodynamic design will allow superior range and altitude engagement.

Operational Deployment and Strategic Impact

• Following successful development and testing, the Astra Mk-2 will be integrated with frontline fighter jets such as the Sukhoi-30MKI and LCA Tejas. The IAF plans to procure an initial stock of nearly 700 missiles, ensuring high operational availability.
• The missile’s extended range capability will serve as a key deterrent against regional adversaries. It is viewed as a counter to China’s PL-15, and it significantly surpasses Pakistan’s PL-15E, which has a maximum range of around 145 km. This enhancement will allow Indian pilots to neutralise hostile aircraft long before they pose a threat.