The Astra MK-3, a next-generation Beyond Visual Range Air-to-Air Missile (BVRAAM), is being developed in India to improve the IAF’s air combat capabilities. It is projected to give the IAF with a much-needed capability by arming it with a long-range air-to-air missile capable of striking enemy aircraft at supersonic speeds, offering multi-layered protection against prospective threats.
The Astra MK-3 is supposed to improve India’s air defence by being capable of neutralising airborne threats such as Airborne Warning and Control Systems (AWACS) and aerial tankers.
DRDO has successfully completed ground trials of the missile system and is currently preparing for air trials with the Su-30MKI as the launch platform. However, the program is experiencing delays owing to technological hurdles, and it may be several years before the missile enters full-scale research and manufacturing. Officials are convinced that the Astra MK-3 will be ready for production within the next 4 to 5 years, once ground trials and successful air-to-air trials have ended.
The Astra MK-3 features a ramjet engine that delivers continuous power over extended distances, allowing the missile to retain high speeds and agility during flight.
The missile will be developed in two versions to satisfy various operational needs:
The Standard Ramjet Variant is fitted with an Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) seeker, which enables precise target tracking and coordination with AWACS and launch platforms via a two-way data connection. It has a range of more than 300 km, making it particularly effective against high-value aerial targets.
The Booster-Enhanced Ramjet version incorporates a second booster stage to attain even longer ranges, allowing it to target bigger threats like as airborne early warning and control systems (AWACS) at long distances.
