Astra missile test fired from a Su-30 fighter of the IAF. The Indian Air Force (IAF) has formally announced the induction of the indigenously built Beyond Visual Range (BVR) air-to-air missile Astra, Defence Aviation Post reports.
Astra has a range of 110 km and has been integrated with Sukhoi-30MKI. It is set to be integrated with Tejas, MiG-29 and Mirage 2000 fighters of the IAF.
The 110 km range of Astra counteracts Pakistan’s edge over India in air-to-air weaponry. This reportedly came into light during the two air forces’ confrontation after India’s strikes at the Balakot terror camp. The Pakistan Air Force (PAF) had deployed AIM-120 AMRAAM with a range of 110 km. The maximum India managed to counter that was through the R-77 which has an 80 km range.
Subsequently, India’s Su-30 MKIs were pegged back into defensive maneuvers once AMRAAM-armed PAF F-16s attacked on India post the Balakot strikes.
The IAF can engage in “both short-range targets at a distance of 20 km and long-range targets up to a distance of 80-110 km,” said an IAF spokesperson. Astra has a mid-course internal guidance with terminal active radar homing and is also the country’s first indigenous air-to-air missile.
An Appeal...
Dear Reader,
As you are no doubt aware, Swarajya is a media product that is directly dependent on support from its readers in the form of subscriptions. We do not have the muscle and backing of a large media conglomerate nor are we playing for the large advertisement sweep-stake.
Our business model is you and your subscription. And in challenging times like these, we need your support now more than ever.
We deliver over 10 - 15 high quality articles with expert insights and views. From 7AM in the morning to 10PM late night we operate to ensure you, the reader, get to see what is just right.
Becoming a Patron or a subscriber for as little as Rs 1200/year is the best way you can support our efforts.