Astra Mk2 BVRAAM

Astra Mk2 is an upgraded variant of India's indigenous beyond-visual-range air-to-air missile developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation. It features a dual-pulse solid rocket motor that extends its range from about 160 km toward 200 km (per defence-media reporting; official DRDO figures awaited), compared with roughly 100 km for the operational Astra Mk1. It carries an indigenous AESA radar seeker with a two-way datalink for mid-course updates. Its primary platform is the Su-30MKI, with planned integration on the HAL Tejas Mk1A. Preliminary trials validating propulsion and aerodynamics were cleared by April 2026, ahead of induction. It reduces India's dependence on imported beyond-visual-range missiles and strengthens the IAF's air-combat reach.

• 1 Indigenous beyond-visual-range air-to-air missile developed by DRDO
• 2 Upgrade of the operational Astra Mk1 (range about 100 km)
• 3 Dual-pulse solid rocket motor for extended range and end-game energy
• 4 Range about 160 km, extending toward 200 km in the dual-pulse variant (media-reported)
• 5 Indigenous AESA radar seeker with two-way datalink
• 6 Primary platform: Su-30MKI; planned for HAL Tejas Mk1A
• 7 Preliminary propulsion and aerodynamic trials cleared by April 2026
• 8 Reduces reliance on imported BVR missiles
• 9 Part of India's indigenous missile portfolio with BrahMos, Akash and Rudram
• 10 Boosts IAF beyond-visual-range air-superiority reach

By April 2026, DRDO had cleared preliminary propulsion and aerodynamic trials of the Astra Mk2, whose dual-pulse motor extends its range toward 200 km on the Su-30MKI.