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The Indian Air Force is set to deploy the Astra Mk-2, a long-range, indigenous air-to-air missile with over 200 km range. Developed by DRDO, it strengthens India’s aerial edge over China and Pakistan with advanced dual-pulse technology and ECM resistance.
IAF to Get Astra Mk-2 Missile with 200+ km Range
New Delhi: The Indian Air Force (IAF) will soon receive a powerful and modern weapon—one that is sure to raise concerns among neighboring countries like China and Pakistan. We're talking about the Astra Mark-2, an air-to-air missile being developed by India's own defense agency, the DRDO.
The Astra Mk-2 is a Beyond Visual Range (BVR) missile, meaning it can shoot down enemy aircraft from a great distance without being sighted. Its unique feature is that its range is now being increased to 200+ kilometers, up from the previous 160 km. This means that Indian pilots will now be able to shoot down enemy jets without entering enemy territory.
This missile is being specifically developed to counter China's PL-15 missile. Pakistan also has a missile called the PL-15E, which has a range of approximately 145 km. However, India's Astra Mk-2 will significantly exceed this range, giving India a strategic advantage in the air.
The most powerful feature of this missile is its "dual pulse solid rocket motor." This means that: The first engine accelerates the missile at launch. The second engine re-energizes it at the end to target enemy aircraft with extreme precision.
DRDO transfers 9 Defence technologies (Source: Internet)
This is the same technology used in the US AMRAAM missile.
The Astra Mk-2 is a major success of India's "Make in India" campaign. It is equipped with: Indian-made seeker, fiber optic gyroscope, and an ECM (Electronic Counter Measures) resistance system.
All these features also make it immune to electronic jamming, allowing it to hit targets under any circumstances.
The Indian Air Force plans to order 700 units of this missile. It will be installed on India's flagship fighter jets, the Sukhoi-30MKI and Tejas. This will give India a decisive advantage in aerial combat.
