The DAC on December 29, 2025, accorded AoN for the procurement of the Astra Mk-2 missile for the IAF. The PIB press release announcing the AoN stated, “Astra Mk-II missiles with enhanced range will increase the capability of the fighter aircraft to neutralise adversary aircraft from large standoff ranges.”
The AoN likely indicates that the development work has been completed and the missile is ready for flight testing.
ANI reported on April 17, 2024, quoting defence officials, that work on developing the 120–130 km strike range Astra Mk-2 air-to-air missile is ongoing.
Development History
Development of the Astra Mk-2 started in 2014.
Following the maiden test of the Astra Mk-1 air-to-air missile on May 4, 2014, DRDO announced that it was already working on a Mk-2 variant of the Astra missile with greater range.
Astra was initially conceived as a 44 km range missile with “high single-shot kill probability,” while its Mk-2 version was projected as being capable of striking adversary aircraft over 100 km away.
However, both missiles are reported to have longer ranges in media reports.
Missile Range
According to documents from Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL), which manufactures the Astra missile, the range of the Astra Mk-1 missile is 80–110 km.
The range of an air-to-air missile varies significantly based on launch conditions such as altitude and target aspect, with the maximum typically cited around 110 km in head-on engagements.
Planned tests of the Astra Mk-1 missile included launches at:
15 km altitude with a 90–110 km range
30,000 ft altitude with a 44 km range
Sea level with a 30 km range
Astra Mk-2: Readiness for Flight Trials
Since 2020, there have been several reports that the Astra Mk-2 would soon be flight tested.
The Times of India reported in November 2020 that DRDO planned to begin testing the Mk-2 version of Astra, with a range of 160 km, in the first half of 2021.
In February 2021, ANI reported, quoting government officials, that trials of Astra Mk-2 would start in the second half of 2021 and that the missile would be fully developed by 2022.
The Times of India reported on May 7, 2022, that the Astra Mk-2 missile would be tested in May 2022.
Astra Mk-2 Features
The Astra Mk-2 features a dual-pulse motor that not only gives it greater range than the Astra Mk-1 missile but also makes it more energetic during end-game manoeuvring, increasing lethality and single-shot kill probability (SSKP).
The longer range of the Astra Mk-2 requires more advanced guidance and RF seeker capabilities than the Mk-1.
According to Wikipedia, the Mk-2 uses a fibre-optic gyroscope (FOG)-based inertial navigation system (INS) for initial trajectory management. It features a two-way data link from the launch aircraft or Airborne Early Warning and Control (AEW&C) platforms.
For terminal homing, it uses a miniature AESA radar seeker.
Chinese PL-15E Features
In October 2025, Hindustan Times reported that DRDO specialists studied the AESA seeker of the export variant of the Chinese PL-15 long-range air-to-air missile launched by a PAF fighter during Operation Sindoor. The missile did not strike its target or self-detonate and crashed in Punjab near Hoshiarpur, with its seeker mostly intact.
Sources told Hindustan Times that analysis of the PL-15 seeker by DRDO scientists revealed several features that could enhance the capabilities of the Astra Mk-2’s AESA seeker. In addition to a more advanced seeker, the PL-15 features more advanced propellant capable of maintaining speeds exceeding Mach 5, as well as sophisticated anti-jamming capabilities.
It is highly likely that DRDO will tweak the existing Astra Mk-2 to incorporate advancements identified in the PL-15E missile. If that is the case, flight testing of the Mk-2 is unlikely to start soon. However, it is also possible that the IAF may choose to begin flight testing the missile even as DRDO works on a more advanced seeker
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