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Context :

• India's latest air to air missile, Astra MK-III, has been officially renamed Gandiva.
• It was named after the legendary bow of Arjuna from the Mahabharata.
• The missile is currently under development by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO).
• It is expected to transform aerial warfare in beyond visual range (BVR)

Key Features:

• Type: Beyond Visual Range (BVR) air to air missile.
• Purpose: it is Designed for mounting on fighter aircraft.
• Development: it is Still under development by DRDO.
• Deployment: it is Set to be deployed on Sukhoi Su-30MKI jets and the Light Combat Aircraft Tejas.

Performance & Specifications:

• Range:
  • 340 km at 20 km altitude.
  • 190 km at 8 km altitude.
• Engine: it has Dual-fuel ducted ramjet engine.
  • It also Allows 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: it is capable of engaging highly maneuverable aircraft Up to 20 degrees.
  • Snap-up/snap-down capability: ±10 km, enabling engagement of targets at varying altitudes (higher or lower than the launch aircraft).

Capabilities:

• Targeting: it is Capable of engaging a wide range of aerial threats, including:
  
  
  • Enemy fighter jets.
  • Military transport aircraft.
  • Refueling planes.
  • Airborne Warning and Control System (AWACS)
• Global Standing: India will possess one of the longest-range BVR missiles globally With the induction of Gandiva.

Strategic Importance:

• Astra Mk-III (Gandiva) is designed to transform the dynamics of BVR warfare. It will allow Indian Air Force (IAF) aircraft to engage enemy targets with high precision at extended ranges..
• It strengthens aerial warfare capabilities. Which ensures improved defence & offensive capabilities in regional & global airspace.

Conclusion:

Astra Mk-III is now known as Gandiva. It is a major leap in India's defence technology. When inducted, it will significantly strengthen India's air defence. It will provide unmatched strike capability against a variety of aerial threats at long ranges.

Source: TH