India Test-Fires Agni-III: What Does This Mean for Its Strategic Capabilities?
https://www.timesnownews.com/india/indi ... -153572372
06 Feb 2026
Indian Missiles News & Discussions - 30 June 2022
Re: Indian Missiles News & Discussions - 30 June 2022
Details of the Astra Mk3.
Astra Mk-3 'Gandiva' | India’s Long-Range Air-to-Air Missile
India is all set to get the Astra Mk-3 ‘Gandiva’, a very long-range air-to-air missile that will significantly boost the Indian Air Force’s beyond visual range combat capability. Developed by DRDO, the Gandiva uses advanced ramjet propulsion to maintain high speeds over long distances, allowing fighter aircraft to engage targets far beyond visual range. In this Defence Deep Dive, we explain how the Gandiva missile works, how it differs from earlier Astra variants, and why it marks a major leap in India’s air warfare capabilities.
Astra Mk-3 'Gandiva' | India’s Long-Range Air-to-Air Missile
India is all set to get the Astra Mk-3 ‘Gandiva’, a very long-range air-to-air missile that will significantly boost the Indian Air Force’s beyond visual range combat capability. Developed by DRDO, the Gandiva uses advanced ramjet propulsion to maintain high speeds over long distances, allowing fighter aircraft to engage targets far beyond visual range. In this Defence Deep Dive, we explain how the Gandiva missile works, how it differs from earlier Astra variants, and why it marks a major leap in India’s air warfare capabilities.
Re: Indian Missiles News & Discussions - 30 June 2022
SFDR Missile Propulsion Test Paves Way For Air Dominance
India’s indigenous Solid Fuel Ducted Ramjet (SFDR) propulsion system has been successfully tested at Chandipur, Odisha, marking a crucial step toward inducting the Astra Mk3 or Gandiv missile. The test validated key subsystems, including the nozzle-less booster, ramjet motor, and fuel flow controller, which use atmospheric oxygen instead of carrying an oxidiser. With a projected range of 350 km, Gandiv surpasses the Rafale’s Meteor missile and rivals global systems. It will equip Tejas, Sukhoi‑30 MKI, and AMCA, strengthening India’s aerial warfare dominance.
India’s indigenous Solid Fuel Ducted Ramjet (SFDR) propulsion system has been successfully tested at Chandipur, Odisha, marking a crucial step toward inducting the Astra Mk3 or Gandiv missile. The test validated key subsystems, including the nozzle-less booster, ramjet motor, and fuel flow controller, which use atmospheric oxygen instead of carrying an oxidiser. With a projected range of 350 km, Gandiv surpasses the Rafale’s Meteor missile and rivals global systems. It will equip Tejas, Sukhoi‑30 MKI, and AMCA, strengthening India’s aerial warfare dominance.
Re: Indian Missiles News & Discussions - 30 June 2022
VIDEO: https://x.com/livefist/status/2020119995867406822?s=20 ---> Defence Secretary RK Singh tells @VishnuNDTV that Project Kusha has already undergone successful initial trials. He said this when was asked about additional S-400 procurement.
Re: Indian Missiles News & Discussions - 30 June 2022
India’s 3,000 KM Warning: Agni-III Explained
India’s recent Agni-III missile test signals calibrated strategic resolve amid rising pressure from China and Pakistan, reinforcing assured retaliation, survivability and restraint without overt threats. At the same time, structural shifts are underway in India’s defence posture: the AMCA stealth fighter program reflects a move toward scalable, indigenous air dominance built on advanced avionics and unmanned integration; the Indian Army’s push for low-level lightweight radars marks a doctrinal shift toward countering drones and terrain-hugging threats through faster sensor-to-shooter integration; and globally, Norway’s purchase of South Korea’s Chunmoo system highlights a changing arms market driven by reliability and supply resilience—creating opportunities for emerging exporters like India. Meanwhile, Pakistan faces deepening structural instability, with militancy reaching its core amid economic fragility and weakening external patronage, raising concerns about whether internal stress could spill into broader regional risk.
India’s recent Agni-III missile test signals calibrated strategic resolve amid rising pressure from China and Pakistan, reinforcing assured retaliation, survivability and restraint without overt threats. At the same time, structural shifts are underway in India’s defence posture: the AMCA stealth fighter program reflects a move toward scalable, indigenous air dominance built on advanced avionics and unmanned integration; the Indian Army’s push for low-level lightweight radars marks a doctrinal shift toward countering drones and terrain-hugging threats through faster sensor-to-shooter integration; and globally, Norway’s purchase of South Korea’s Chunmoo system highlights a changing arms market driven by reliability and supply resilience—creating opportunities for emerging exporters like India. Meanwhile, Pakistan faces deepening structural instability, with militancy reaching its core amid economic fragility and weakening external patronage, raising concerns about whether internal stress could spill into broader regional risk.
Re: Indian Missiles News & Discussions - 30 June 2022
DRDO Set to Clear Astra Mk2 for Production with Enhanced 220km Range, Poised to Become IAF's Primary BVRAAM
https://defence.in/threads/drdo-set-to- ... aam.16881/
(DRDO) is preparing to issue production clearance for the Astra Mk2 air-to-air missile later this year.
the missile has demonstrated capabilities far superior to its original design parameters.
While the Astra Mk2 was originally conceptualised to strike targets at a distance of 160 km, updated performance evaluations indicate it can effectively engage threats at a range of approximately 220 km.
The substantial increase in range is more than just a statistical improvement; it fundamentally alters the Indian Air Force’s (IAF) engagement strategy. The extended reach allows the Astra Mk2 to serve as the primary long-range weapon across the IAF’s diverse fighter fleet.
According to defence sources, the missile is being integrated onto a wide variety of aircraft, including the Russian-origin Su-30MKI and MiG-29, as well as the indigenous Tejas Mk1A and the French-origin Rafale.
Reflecting the missile's central role in future air operations, the IAF is projected to place one of the largest single orders for air-to-air missiles in its history.
Sources suggest that the total requirement could exceed 500 units once formal clearance is granted.
To accommodate this massive scale and ensure a robust supply chain, the DRDO is moving away from a single-manufacturer model.
While the state-owned Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL) is expected to be the lead integrator, a private sector defence firm will likely serve as the second production line, ensuring capacity resilience and faster delivery.
The DRDO is scheduled to conduct firing trials of the Astra Mk2 from the Tejas Mk1A fighter later this year, which is a prerequisite for final operational clearance.
Simultaneously, work is progressing to integrate the missile with the Rafale fleet. Successful integration on the Rafale would be a landmark achievement, proving India’s ability to network indigenous weaponry with sophisticated foreign avionics.
Furthermore, the missile is being adapted for the Indian Navy’s MiG-29K fighters, expanding its operational footprint to carrier-based maritime aviation.
https://defence.in/threads/drdo-set-to- ... aam.16881/
(DRDO) is preparing to issue production clearance for the Astra Mk2 air-to-air missile later this year.
the missile has demonstrated capabilities far superior to its original design parameters.
While the Astra Mk2 was originally conceptualised to strike targets at a distance of 160 km, updated performance evaluations indicate it can effectively engage threats at a range of approximately 220 km.
The substantial increase in range is more than just a statistical improvement; it fundamentally alters the Indian Air Force’s (IAF) engagement strategy. The extended reach allows the Astra Mk2 to serve as the primary long-range weapon across the IAF’s diverse fighter fleet.
According to defence sources, the missile is being integrated onto a wide variety of aircraft, including the Russian-origin Su-30MKI and MiG-29, as well as the indigenous Tejas Mk1A and the French-origin Rafale.
Reflecting the missile's central role in future air operations, the IAF is projected to place one of the largest single orders for air-to-air missiles in its history.
Sources suggest that the total requirement could exceed 500 units once formal clearance is granted.
To accommodate this massive scale and ensure a robust supply chain, the DRDO is moving away from a single-manufacturer model.
While the state-owned Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL) is expected to be the lead integrator, a private sector defence firm will likely serve as the second production line, ensuring capacity resilience and faster delivery.
The DRDO is scheduled to conduct firing trials of the Astra Mk2 from the Tejas Mk1A fighter later this year, which is a prerequisite for final operational clearance.
Simultaneously, work is progressing to integrate the missile with the Rafale fleet. Successful integration on the Rafale would be a landmark achievement, proving India’s ability to network indigenous weaponry with sophisticated foreign avionics.
Furthermore, the missile is being adapted for the Indian Navy’s MiG-29K fighters, expanding its operational footprint to carrier-based maritime aviation.