In a significant boost to India’s defence self-reliance and maritime strike capability, the Indian Navy is fast-tracking the induction of the indigenous Astra Mk2 Beyond Visual Range Air-to-Air Missile (BVRAAM) for its carrier-based fighter squadrons. The move marks one of the most ambitious naval aviation modernisation efforts in recent years and underscores New Delhi’s push to reduce dependence on foreign missile systems.
The Astra Mk2, developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), represents a major technological leap for India’s air-combat arsenal. With a range reportedly exceeding 160 kilometres, the missile features a highly advanced seeker for improved accuracy, along with a dual-pulse rocket motor that enables high-energy manoeuvring at long distances. Its performance parameters place it in the same league as the Chinese PL-15, a long-range air-to-air missile fielded by the People’s Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) and supplied to Pakistan.
The Navy has begun preparations to integrate the Astra Mk2 into its existing fleet of MiG-29K fighters, which operate primarily from the aircraft carrier INS Vikramaditya. Technical teams are currently adapting the missile to work with the Russian-origin Zhuk-ME radar system, a process that involves software updates, flight-control calibration, and structural compatibility checks.
According to defence officials, missile–aircraft integration trials are progressing on schedule. Weapon firing tests are expected to begin within the next year, potentially enabling the MiG-29K fleet to field the Astra Mk2 by mid-2026, subject to successful evaluations. Navy officers say the missile will dramatically increase the MiG-29K’s ability to engage hostile aircraft at extended ranges, a critical capability given increased adversarial activity in the Indian Ocean Region.
The Astra Mk2 is also set to become a primary air-combat weapon for the Indian Navy’s future fleet of Rafale M fighters. India signed a $7.5-billion deal in April 2025 to acquire 26 Rafale Ms, which will be deployed on the aircraft carrier INS Vikrant and future carriers.
Unlike the MiG-29K, the Rafale M’s cutting-edge Thales RBE2-AA Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar is optimised for long-range missile engagements. This ensures the Astra Mk2 can be fully exploited from the day the aircraft enter operational service, beginning in 2029. Navy officials say the Rafale M–Astra Mk2 combination will provide a substantial technological advantage in potential maritime confrontations, particularly against rivals deploying long-range missile systems.
The Navy’s missile integration programme parallels a similar shift within the Indian Air Force (IAF), which is replacing imported air-to-air missiles with the Astra family across its fleet. The IAF plans to equip its 36 Rafale fighters with both the Astra Mk1 and Mk2, enabling them to phase out the French-origin MICA missile.
The MICA, with an approximate range of 80 kilometres, is increasingly seen as inadequate against modern threats such as the PL-15. In contrast, the Astra Mk1 — already proven on the Su-30MKI and Tejas — offers a range of 90–110 kilometres and is being readied as an immediate MICA replacement. The longer-range Astra Mk2 is projected to be integrated onto the Rafale around 2026–2027.
Defence analysts note that adopting indigenous missiles is significantly more cost-effective than procuring foreign upgrades and strengthens India’s growing aerospace industrial base.
The integration of Astra missiles on Rafale aircraft reflects broader India–France defence cooperation. Dassault Aviation is working with DRDO and Indian industry partners on the software and structural modifications necessary to certify the missiles for operational use. These upgrades also pave the way for equipping the Rafale with other Indian-made weapons, including the Rudram-1 anti-radiation missile designed to neutralise enemy air-defence networks.
With long-range engagement increasingly defining modern air warfare, the Astra Mk2 is poised to become a cornerstone of India’s air-combat strategy across both its naval and air forces—marking a decisive step forward in national defence autonomy.
