Astra Mark-2 Air-To-Air Missile To Have A Range Of Over 200 Km: Report

The Astra Mark-2 Beyond Visual Range (BVR) air-to-air missile will have an operational range exceeding 200 kilometres, ANI has reported.

The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) is developing the missile under a proposal that also includes the Indian Air Force (IAF) procuring around 700 units for its Sukhoi Su-30MKI and Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas fleets.

Earlier plans had pegged the missile’s range at around 160 km, but the upgraded configuration will significantly extend the IAF’s engagement envelope. The proposal is expected to be taken up by the Defence Ministry shortly.

During Operation Sindoor, India and Pakistan engaged in limited air-to-air combat after Indian fighters struck Pakistani air bases and terror camps from long stand-off ranges. The Pakistan Air Force (PAF) lost several aircraft both in the air and on the ground, including U.S.-supplied F-16s and Chinese-origin fighters.

PAF also fired multiple Chinese-made PL-15 missiles at Indian aircraft, though it remains unclear if any reached their targets. While India has acknowledged some losses without disclosing details, several intact PL-15 missiles were found in Indian territory.

Pakistan is believed to operate the full-range variant of the PL-15, with an estimated reach of 200–300 km — not the downgraded export version capped at 145 km. Indian Rafale jets, meanwhile, carry Meteor missiles, with range believed to be above 200 km. Analysts say the PL-15 currently gives Pakistan a slight edge in beyond-visual-range combat.