IDN TAKE: Why India’s Indigenous ASTRA Air-to-Air Missile is Critical to IAF

[Zarvan]

A model of ASTRA Air-to-Air Missile - A Sukhoi Su-30MKI Test Firing an ASTRA Missile

India’s Astra air-to-air missiles could be fielded next year, according to IAF reported last month . The recent testing of the sophisticated indigenous missile on Su-30MKI fighters evaluated the propulsion and aircraft integration capabilities of the missile; further testing of the Astra’s sensors and other sub-systems is planned in the coming months.

Pakistan’s November 2006 purchase of 500 AIM-120C AMRAAM missiles created counter-pressure on India, and reportedly it had looking for a 120km BVRAAMs (Beyond Visual Range Air-Air Missiles) system. Missiles with this notional head-on range would far outstrip the 60km of the AIM-120C, and even the 60-90km reported for the Russian AA-12/R-77 that India already deploys. Indeed, this figure would be closer to the ramjet-powered Meteor under development by MBDA.

There are also possibilities to start indigenous development of such long-range missiles by DRDO with possible foreign collaboration. Russia’s AGAT, is reportedly assisting with DRDO’s seeker development.

As it happens, India has wiselyelected to pursue the wholly indigenous ASTRA project. The ASTRA Mk.2 missile is designed to have a head-on intercept range of 80 km, and 20 km in tail-chase mode. Those figures are comparable to American AMRAAM's, and Russia’s R-77/AA-12. Also noteworthy is that the ASTRA is similar to the MBDA Super 530, which equips the current IAF Mirage 2000 fleet.

India eventually would deploy the ASTRA on its Su-30 MKIs, upgraded MiG-29s, and Tejas LCA. At present, however, the IAF’s Russian fighters use the R-77 missiles, while the Tejas will be fielded with RAFAEL’s advanced Derby system. It is also envisaged the Mirage 2000s will also carry MBDA’s MICA.

ASTRA's induction will enhance IAF offensive operational capabilities. Sooner or Later, it will begin to provide a fleet standard missile option that offers greater inventory flexibility, unhinged availability and more importantly associated lower support costs.

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Indian Defence News: IDN TAKE: Why India’s Indigenous ASTRA Air-to-Air Missile is Critical to IAF