1. Free English Booklet

2. Free Current Affairs (CAT)

3. Register for Upcoming Batch on 11-04-2025 Last 3 Seats

4. UPSC Mains 2024 Result

5. HiBE (Hit the Bull's Eye) Prelims 2025

6. Prelims 2024 Answer with Explanation

7. Fix Appointment With Sachin Jain Sir

8. Daily Quiz for Mastering Prelims

9. Daily Practice for Mastering Mains

7900-44-7900

ensureias@gmail.com

Gandiva: India’s Most Advanced Air-to-Air Missile

Gandiva: India’s Most Advanced Air-to-Air Missile

18-04-2025
  1. India has taken a significant leap in aerial combat capability with the official renaming of its most advanced beyond visual range (BVR) air-to-air missile, Astra Mk-III, to Gandiva.
  2. Developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), Gandiva represents the next evolution in the Astra missile series and showcases India’s growing technological edge in air-to-air missile systems.

Context and Background

  1. The renaming of Astra Mk-III to Gandiva symbolizes a deeper connection to India’s cultural and strategic ethos.
  2. In Indian mythology, Gandiva was the celestial bow wielded by Arjuna in the Mahabharata, known for its precision, power, and invincibility.
  3. Similarly, the missile version of Gandiva is designed to deliver unmatched performance and lethal precision in modern aerial combat.
  4. The missile is the latest development in the Astra series, following the successful deployment of Astra Mk-I and Astra Mk-II, and marks a significant technological leap in terms of propulsion, range, and speed.


Key Features of Gandiva (Astra Mk-III)

  1. Extended Operational Range
  1. Gandiva offers a range of 340 km when targeting enemy aircraft flying at an altitude of 20 km.
  2. The effective range is 190 km when engaging targets at 8 km altitude.
  1. Advanced Propulsion System
  1. Gandiva is powered by a Solid Fuel Ducted Ramjet (SFDR) propulsion system.
  2. This dual-fuel engine utilizes atmospheric oxygen as an oxidizer, eliminating the need to carry onboard oxidizers.
  1. High-Speed Engagement Capability
  1. Gandiva can be launched at speeds between 0.8 to 2.2 Mach.
  2. It is capable of intercepting targets moving at Mach 2.0 to Mach 3.6.
  3. Its sustained supersonic speed can reportedly reach up to Mach 4.5, enabling rapid interception of high-speed enemy aircraft.
  1. Precision Target Neutralization: The missile is designed to neutralize a variety of aerial threats, including: Fighter jets, Bombers and Military transport aircraft

 

The Evolution of Astra Missiles

Gandiva is the third and most advanced iteration in the Astra series of beyond visual range (BVR) air-to-air missiles developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO).

  1. Astra Mk-I was the first to enter service, featuring solid performance and a good range.
  • Range: 20–110 km depending on flight profile.
  • Speed: Up to Mach 4.5.
  • Guidance: Inertial navigation with active radar homing in terminal phase.
  • Seeker: Initially Russian, later replaced by an indigenous RF seeker.
  • Warhead: 15 kg high-explosive with proximity fuse.
  • Compatible with: Sukhoi Su-30MKI, soon to be integrated with HAL Tejas, Mirage 2000, and MiG-29.
  • Entered limited series production in 2017.
  1. Astra Mk-II improved upon it with enhanced propulsion and a longer engagement range.
  • Range: 130–160 km based on launch altitude.
  • Shares airframe design with Mk-I.
  • Upgrades include:
    • Dual-pulse rocket motor
    • Laser proximity fuse
    • Indigenous AESA radar seeker

 

Also Read

UPSC Foundation Course

UPSC Daily Current Affairs
UPSC Monthly Magazine CSAT Foundation Course

Free MCQs for UPSC Prelims

UPSC Test Series

ENSURE IAS NOTES

Our Booklist

 

Tavasya: Final Krivak-Class Stealth Frigate

Gandiva: India’s Most Advanced Air-to-Air Missile

MAHASAGAR INITIATIVE