Insta
Astra air-to-air missile test-fired from IAF’s Su-30 MKI.
India will commence the testing of Astra Mark 2 beyond visual range air to air missile by the second half of 2021, ANI reports. This will accordingly certify India’s superiority in air combat in comparison to China and Pakistan as the missile is equipped to take down an enemy aircraft from a range of 160 kms.
“The trial for the Astra Mark would be starting in the second half of this year and we are hoping to see the missile fully developed by 2022,” government officials were quoted by the news agency.
Air Marshal SBP Sinha (Retd), ex-Central Air Commander, revealed that this next-generation missile will be operational from the end of next year onward. Astra flies at a speed that is around four times more than that of sound at Mach 4.5. It is a beyond visual air-to-air missile (BVRAAM) and now attempts are being made to integrate the same with indigenous fighter aircraft LCA Tejas.
Astra has a strike range of 100-km and are set to replace the costly French, Israeli and Russian BVRAAMs that are imported to equip the Indian Air Force (IAF) fighters. In fact, the Indian Navy and the IAF have placed their orders for 288 Astra Mark-1 missiles that have already manifested their proficiency on the Sukhoi M-30MKI fighters.
Support Swarajya's 50 Ground Reports Project & Sponsor A Story
Every general election Swarajya does a 50 ground reports project.
Aimed only at serious readers and those who appreciate the nuances of political undercurrents, the project provides a sense of India's electoral landscape. As you know, these reports are produced after considerable investment of travel, time and effort on the ground.
This time too we've kicked off the project in style and have covered over 30 constituencies already. If you're someone who appreciates such work and have enjoyed our coverage please consider sponsoring a ground report for just Rs 2999 to Rs 19,999 - it goes a long way in helping us produce more quality reportage.
You can also back this project by becoming a subscriber for as little as Rs 999 - so do click on this links and choose a plan that suits you and back us.
Click below to contribute.
Latest