ASTRA MK-III RENAMED GANDIVA : SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

ASTRA MK-III RENAMED GANDIVA : SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

NEWS: Designing India’s AI Safety Institute

 

WHAT’S IN THE NEWS?

India's Astra Mk-III air-to-air missile, now renamed Gandiva, is a Beyond Visual Range (BVR) missile with long-range capabilities designed to enhance India's air combat power. Developed by DRDO, it will be deployed on Sukhoi Su-30MKI jets and Tejas, transforming aerial warfare with advanced targeting and engagement features.

 

Astra Mk-III Renamed Gandiva

  • Renaming: India’s latest air-to-air missile, the Astra Mk-III, has been officially renamed Gandiva, after the legendary bow of Arjuna from the Mahabharata. This name signifies the missile’s power and precision, akin to the mythological bow used by the great warrior.
  • Development: The missile is still under development by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), and it is set to transform aerial warfare with its capabilities in Beyond Visual Range (BVR) combat.

 

Key Features

  • Type: The Astra Gandiva is a Beyond Visual Range (BVR) air-to-air missile, meaning it can engage enemy targets at ranges beyond the pilot’s visual sight, improving the effectiveness of air combat.
  • Purpose: It is specifically designed to be mounted on fighter aircraft, enhancing the air-to-air combat capabilities of Indian Air Force (IAF) aircraft.
  • Deployment: Once operational, the missile will be deployed on Sukhoi Su-30MKI jets and the Light Combat Aircraft Tejas, both of which will gain enhanced long-range strike capabilities.
  • Development Stage: Although still under development, the missile is expected to be fully inducted soon, becoming a crucial part of India’s air defence arsenal.

 

Performance & Specifications

  • Range:
  • The missile has a range of 340 km at 20 km altitude and 190 km at 8 km altitude. These distances make it one of the longest-range BVR missiles, capable of engaging targets from far beyond the pilot’s line of sight, enhancing India’s air superiority.
  • Engine:
  • The Astra Gandiva features a dual-fuel ducted ramjet engine, which allows for sustained high speeds and efficiency over long distances. It is capable of launching from sea level up to an altitude of 20 km, providing flexibility in various operational environments.
  • Speed:
  • Launch Speed: The missile can be launched at speeds ranging from 0.8 to 2.2 Mach, ensuring quick deployment in combat scenarios.
  • Target Engagement Speed: The missile has a high target engagement speed of 2.0 to 3.6 Mach, allowing it to intercept fast-moving targets with high precision.
  • Target Engagement:
  • Angle of Attack: The missile can engage highly maneuverable enemy aircraft at an angle of attack up to 20 degrees, ensuring flexibility in tracking fast and agile targets.
  • Snap-up/Snap-down Capability: The missile has a ±10 km snap-up/snap-down capability, which allows it to engage targets at varying altitudes (higher or lower than the launch aircraft). This is crucial for intercepting targets in dynamic aerial combat situations.

 

Capabilities

  • Targeting:
    The Astra Gandiva is capable of targeting a wide range of aerial threats, including:
  • Enemy fighter jets
  • Military transport aircraft
  • Refueling planes
  • Airborne Warning and Control Systems (AWACS)
    These capabilities make it a versatile tool for both offensive and defensive air operations, enhancing the IAF's ability to counter multiple types of aerial threats.
  • Global Standing:
    With the induction of Astra Mk-III (Gandiva), India will possess one of the longest-range BVR missiles in the world, which places India at the forefront of global air defence technology. This missile not only enhances India's air combat capabilities but also strengthens its deterrence posture in the region.

 

Strategic Importance

  • BVR Warfare Transformation:
    The Astra Gandiva is designed to transform the dynamics of BVR warfare by enabling Indian aircraft to engage enemy targets with high precision at extended ranges. This significantly alters the traditional model of aerial combat, where aircraft must often close in on targets to engage them effectively.
  • Aerial Warfare Capabilities:
    With the induction of Astra Gandiva, India’s aerial warfare capabilities will be greatly enhanced, allowing for both defensive and offensive operations across regional and global airspaces. The missile’s long-range precision strike capability will allow Indian aircraft to engage adversaries at a greater distance, keeping them out of enemy radar and weapon range.

Conclusion

  • Leap in Defence Technology:
    The renaming and development of the Astra Mk-III to Gandiva represents a major leap in India’s defence technology, offering enhanced strike capability against a variety of aerial threats at long ranges.
  • Strengthening Air Defence:
    Once inducted, the missile will significantly strengthen India’s air defence by providing unmatched precision and range. This will improve India’s ability to counter advanced threats in the modern air combat environment, ensuring greater national security and deterrence capability. The missile will play a crucial role in enhancing India’s air superiority in the region and globally.

 

Source: https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/op-ed/designing-indias-ai-safety-institute/article69289911.ece