Astra Mark 2 Missile

Astra Mk2 Missile Latest News

India is planning to equip Mirage 2000 jets with Astra Mk2 missiles, enabling long-range interception up to 240 km and strengthening aerial dominance.

About Astra Mk2 Missile

• It is a Beyond Visual Range (BVR) air-to-air missile.
• It is being developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO).
• In addition to various laboratories of DRDO, more than 50 public and private industries, including Hindustan Aeronautics Limited, have contributed towards successful realisation of the weapon system. 
• The Astra Mark-1 air-to-air missile with a strike range of around 90-100 kms is already in the Indian Air Force and is already integrated with the LCA Tejas and the Su-30 MKI fighter jets.
• The Astra Mark 2 would give the Indian Air Force an edge over the adversaries in air-to-air combat and can also be offered as an export product to friendly foreign countries.

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Astra Mk2 Missile Features

• While the Astra Mark-1 is a single-pulse, smokeless solid-fueled motor, the Astra Mark-2 uses a dual-pulse solid rocket motor for extended reach and better kinematics during the kill phase. 
• Astra Mk-1 is 3.6 m (12 ft) long with a diameter of 178 mm (7.0 in) and weighs 154 kg with a maximum range of 110 km. The Astra Mark 2 will be a bigger missile with a diameter of 190 mm and weigh close to 175 kg.
• Range: 200–240 km (high altitude conditions)
• Astra Mk-2 will use the indigenous seeker manufactured by Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL).
• This seeker is equipped with electronic counter-countermeasures (ECCM), enhancing its ability to resist jamming and electronic warfare tactics.
• Another critical feature is the two-way datalink that enables mid-course updates. This allows the missile to receive real-time guidance corrections from the launch platform or other assets.

Source: IMM