Gandiva Missile (Astra Mk-III): India's Advanced BVR Air-to-Air Weapon

India has officially renamed its Astra Mk-III missile as Gandiva, inspired by the legendary weapon from the Mahabharata. Developed by DRDO, this beyond visual range (BVR) air-to-air missile is designed to enhance the Indian Air Force’s aerial combat capabilities. With a range of up to 340 km, Gandiva is set to be integrated with Sukhoi Su-30MKI and LCA Tejas fighter jets. It features a dual-fuel ducted ramjet engine for superior speed and maneuverability. This advancement places India among the nations with the longest-range BVR missiles, strengthening its air defense.Key Features:

• This weapon belongs to the Beyond Visual Range (BVR) air-to-air missile category.

• This weapon exists to serve as an air-based system for fighter aircraft.

• Development: Still under development by DRDO.

• Deployment: Planned for integration with Sukhoi Su-30MKI and Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas.

Performance & Specifications:

• Range:

  • 340 km at 20 km altitude.

  • 190 km at 8 km altitude.

• Engine:

  • Dual-fuel ducted ramjet engine.

  • Capable of launch from sea level to 20 km altitude.

• Speed:

  • Launch speed: 0.8 to 2.2 Mach.

  • Target engagement speed: 2.0 to 3.6 Mach.

• Target Engagement:

  • Angle of attack: Capable of engaging highly maneuverable aircraft up to 20 degrees.

  • The system has a position adjustment capability which allows the engagement of targets through a 10 km altitude range above or below the launching aircraft.

Capabilities:

• Targeting:

  • Gandiva operates as a system which targets numerous aerial threats including:

  • Enemy fighter jets.

  • Military transport aircraft.

  • Refueling planes.

  • Airborne Warning and Control System (AWACS).

• Global Standing:

  • The integration of Gandiva positions India among the nations with the longest BVR missiles in the world.

Strategic Importance:

• Astra Mk-III (Gandiva) has been designed specifically to change BVR warfare so Indian Air Force aircraft can hit enemy targets precisely at greater distances.

• The aerial warfare capabilities gain strength through Gandiva thus enabling better regional and global aerospace defense and offense operations.

Conclusion:

Gandiva originated from Astra Mk-III to establish a significant advancement in Indian defense technology. The compliance of Astra Mk-III (Gandiva) with Indian air defense forces will deliver unprecedented smash capability to neutralize many airborne threats from extensive distances.