PL-15
ISLAMABAD: In a development underscoring escalating arms dynamics in SouthAsia, India has announced significant enhancements to its indigenousbeyond-visual-range air-to-air missile, the Astra Mk2, positioning it as aformidable counter to regional adversaries’ capabilities. Defence Researchand Development Organisation officials revealed that the upgraded variantnow boasts an extended engagement range exceeding 240 kilometres,surpassing the on-paper specifications of China’s PL-15 missile, which isreported to achieve approximately 200 kilometres. This tweak, incorporatingadvanced dual-pulse solid rocket propulsion and an active electronicallyscanned array seeker, allows Indian Air Force pilots to neutralise threatsfrom greater standoff distances, thereby enhancing operational safety andtactical superiority.
The Indian Air Force has promptly placed an order for 700 units of theAstra Mk2, earmarked for integration into frontline platforms such as theSukhoi Su-30MKI and indigenous Tejas fighters. This procurement, valued atseveral billion rupees, aligns with New Delhi’s Atmanirbhar Bharatinitiative to foster self-reliance in defence manufacturing. BharatDynamics Limited, the primary production agency, is scaling up facilitiesto meet the demand, with initial deliveries anticipated within the nextfiscal year. The move not only bolsters India’s aerial deterrence but alsodiminishes the perceived edge held by Chinese-supplied weaponry in thepossession of neighbouring air forces.
Strategic analysts in Islamabad view this upgrade with measured concern,noting its implications for the fragile balance along the Line of Control.The PL-15, a mainstay in Pakistan’s inventory via the export variantPL-15E, has a confirmed range of around 145 kilometres, already renderingit vulnerable in simulated engagements. However, India’s claims draw addedweight from historical precedents; during recent border skirmishes,including Operation Sindoor, Indian forces recovered at least ten intactPL-15 missiles that reportedly fell short of their intended targets due tomid-flight failures or electronic countermeasures. These recoveriesprovided the DRDO with invaluable technical insights, including propulsionschematics and seeker algorithms, which were purportedly reverse-engineeredto refine the Astra’s performance metrics.
This technological leap represents more than mere hardware iteration; itsignals India’s intent to assert qualitative dominance inbeyond-visual-range combat scenarios. The Astra Mk2’s enhancedkinematics—sustained Mach 4-plus speeds and resistance to jamming—couldreshape aerial doctrines, compelling adversaries to recalibrate responsestrategies. For Pakistan, reliant on a mix of Chinese and indigenousplatforms like the JF-17 Thunder, the development underscores the urgencyof accelerating its own missile programmes, such as the CM-400AKG andPL-15E upgrades. Regional stability hangs in the balance, as uncheckedproliferation risks inadvertent escalations amid ongoing border tensions.
Experts caution that while range extensions offer tactical advantages,real-world efficacy hinges on integration with networked sensors andelectronic warfare suites. India’s investments in these domains, coupledwith the Astra’s interoperability with upcoming assets like the AdvancedMedium Combat Aircraft, portend a more assertive posture. As South Asianavigates this arms spiral, diplomatic channels remain vital to preventmiscalculations that could ignite broader conflagrations. The internationalcommunity watches closely, urging restraint to preserve peace in an alreadyvolatile theatre.
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Source:https://www.news18.com/india/drdos-astra-mk-2-missile-upgrade-iaf-orders-700-to-boost-range-beyond-200km-ws-dkl-9647709.html
Source:https://defence.in/threads/drdo-targets-200km-range-for-astra-mk-2-to-counter-chinas-pl-15-eyes-initial-700-unit-order-for-su-30mki-and-tejas.15840/
Tags: India, Pakistan, China, DRDO, Indian Air Force
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