Astra Mk2: India's Indigenous Missile to Outperform Global Giants Meteor and AMRAAM

• India's DRDO-developed Astra Mark-2 (Astra Mk2) BVR air-to-air missile is set to challenge the dominance of European Meteor and American AMRAAM.
• Astra Mk2 features SFDR technology, providing sustained thrust similar to Meteor, with a maximum range of over 160-180 km and speed exceeding Mach 4.5.
• It offers advantages like indigenous design, lower cost, and easy integration with Indian fighter jets such as Rafale, Tejas Mk1A, and Su-30 MKI.
• The missile's dual-pulse solid rocket motor allows for a second acceleration near the target, creating a highly lethal 'No-Escape Zone'.
• Astra Mk2 ensures strategic autonomy, cost-effectiveness, and universal integration across India's diverse fighter fleet, reducing reliance on foreign suppliers.

Why It Matters: Astra Mk2 makes India self-reliant in air-to-air missiles, offering a superior, cost-effective alternative to global counterparts.