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Sandeep Pratap Singh
Written By Sandeep Pratap Singh
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India is getting ready to bring its new homegrown Astra Mk-II air-to-air missile into service. This long-range missile, developed by DRDO, can hit targets more than 160 km away and will soon be tested on the Su-30MKI fighter jet. 


Its integration with theTejas Mk-1A is planned for late 2025, giving Indian aircraft a big boost in air combat power without depending on foreign missile systems.



Tejas Mk-1A, Su-30MKI to Get Astra Mk-II Upgrade

India’s homegrown Astra Mk-II Beyond Visual Range Air-to-Air Missile (BVRAAM) is moving closer to operational use. 


Its integration with the Tejas Mk-1A fighter jet is expected to start in the last quarter of 2025. At the same time, user trials on the Su-30MKI, India’s main air superiority fighter, will begin soon, according to sources. 


The Astra Mk-II is an advanced, long-range version of the Astra Mk-I, developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), is already in production and serving with the Indian Air Force (IAF). 


The Mk-II can engage targets over 160 km away, making it a powerful weapon for long-range air combat.


A light multirole fighter developed by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited, the Tejas Mk-1A, will see a major boost in combat power after this missile is integrated with Mk-II. 


This integration will help gain the ability to strike targets far beyond visual range, which is a key feature in air dominance missions.


Integration with Tejas will involve:

  • Testing how the missile performs across different flight conditions (flight envelope mapping)

  • Checking the missile’s physical fit and connection to the aircraft (structural interface testing)

  • Linking the missile’s systems with the jet’s mission computer and radar (software integration)

  • Conducting live firing trials at different altitudes and speeds


This step is part of India’s wider push to create a fully indigenous air combat ecosystem, reducing reliance on foreign missiles like the Russian R-77 and Israeli Derby.


Before Tejas gets the missile, the Astra Mk-II will undergo user evaluation trials on the Su-30MKI. 


In these trials, IAF pilots will fire the missile at target drones in realistic combat scenarios. 

The main aim is to test the missile’s seeker, engine, datalink, and fuse performance. 


The Su-30MKI’s strong radar and twin-engine range make it an ideal testing platform. 

It is also likely to be the first aircraft to make the missile ready for combat, operationally.


Main Features of Astra Mk-II:

  • Range: Over 160 km

  • Guidance: Dual-mode active radar seeker + inertial navigation with mid-course updates

  • Warhead: High-explosive fragmentation with a radio proximity fuse

  • Propulsion: Solid fuel dual-pulse motor for a wider “no-escape” zone

  • Compatible Aircraft: Su-30MKI, Tejas Mk-1A, Mirage-2000 (future)


The Astra Mk-II is a major step in strengthening India’s self-reliance in advanced air-to-air missile technology. 


Once fully operational, it will significantly enhance the capabilities of Indian fighter jets in long-range engagements.

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