New Fear Unlocked For Pakistan: India Air Force To Get 700 Astra Mark 2 Missiles With Over 200km Range | India News

The Indian Air Force recently achieved a major milestone by attacking Pakistani fighter aircraft from a range of more than 300 kilometres, as confirmed by IAF Chief Amar Preet Singh. During Operation Sindoor, Pakistan relied on Chinese PL-15 missiles but India has its own indigenous options. Now, in a boost to the Air Force, the Defense Research and Development Organization (DRDO) has submitted a detailed proposal to the government stating that the range of Astra Mark 1 missiles will be increased to over 200 km in its latest version, Astra Mark 2.

In a major boost to indigenous defense capabilities, the Defense Research and Development Organization (DRDO) will significantly increase the strike range of Indian Air Force (IAF) pilots by increasing the range of the Astra Mark 2 air-to-air, beyond visual range missile to over 200 kilometres.

According to defense officials, the proposal will soon be reviewed by the Ministry of Defense. As part of the plan, the IAF is expected to procure around 700 Astra Mark 2 missiles to be integrated into the Sukhoi and Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) fighter squadrons.

Initially, DRDO had targeted a range of around 160 kilometers for the Astra Mark 2. However, the agency is currently developing an upgraded variant that can hit targets well beyond 200 kilometers.

India’s efforts to develop indigenous long-range air-to-air missiles are aimed at maintaining its technological edge in Beyond Visual (BVR) combat. During Operation Sindoor, India and Pakistan engaged in limited air-to-air combat; Indian forces targeted Pakistani air bases and terror camps from long distances.

Reports indicate that the Pakistan Air Force has suffered significant losses both in the air and on the ground, including a large number of F-16s and Chinese fighter jets. It also lost several large unmanned aerial vehicles and reconnaissance aircraft in southern Pakistan.

Following the attacks, Pakistan attempted to counterattack using PL-15 air-to-air missiles, but these did not produce any significant impact.

The previous version of the missile, Astra Mark 1, currently has a range of over 100 kilometers and has an advanced guidance and navigation system. The Astra program represents a collaborative effort by DRDO and more than 50 public and private sectors, including Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), and underlines India’s growing self-reliance in defense manufacturing.