Astra MK-III Missile, Range, Features

Table of Contents☰

Astra MK-III Missile Latest News

India’s latest and most advanced air-to-air missile, the Astra MK-III, has now been officially renamed Gandiva, after the legendary bow of Arjuna from the Mahabharata.

About Astra MK-III Missile

It is a beyond-visual-range (BVR) air-to-air missile designed to be mounted on fighter aircraft.
Still under development by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), this missile is expected to redefine the landscape of aerial warfare, especially in BVR combat.
The missile will be deployed on the IAF’s Sukhoi Su-30MKI jetsand the Light Combat Aircraft Tejas.
With the eventual induction of Gandiva, India will possess one of the longest-range BVR air-to-air missiles in the world.
This missile is capable of targeting a variety of aerial threats, including enemy fighter jets, bombers, military transport aircraft, refueling planes, and Airborne Warning and Control System (AWACS) aircraft.

Astra MK-III Missile Features

It has a range of 340 kilometers when the target is at an altitude of 20 kilometers, and 190 kilometers when the target is at a lower altitude of 8 kilometers.
It is powered by a dual-fuel ducted ramjet engine, enabling it to be launched from an IAF jet at sea level or as high as 20 kilometers in altitude.
The missile’s launch speed ranges from 0.8 to 2.2 Mach, with the capability to hit targets at a speed of 2.0 to 3.6 Mach.
One of its most advanced features is its ability to engage highly maneuverable fighter aircraft, with an angle of attack of up to 20 degrees.
Additionally, the Gandiva has a ±10 km snap-up/snap-down capability, allowing it to engage targets at varying altitudes—either higher or lower than the firing aircraft.