India Unveils Air-to-Air Superweapon: Astra Mk-III ‘Gandiva’

                     image credit :zeenews

India has pulled the curtain off its most advanced air-to-air missile to date — the Astra Mk-III, now officially named Gandiva, after Arjuna’s celestial bow from the Mahabharata. Designed to establish dominance in beyond-visual-range (BVR) aerial combat, Gandiva represents a significant leap in indigenous weapons technology.

Unlike previous systems, Gandiva is powered by a cutting-edge Solid Fuel Ducted Ramjet (SFDR), granting it sustained speed, extended range, and incredible agility. The missile is reported to reach targets at distances of up to 340 km at high altitude and 190 km at medium altitudes, surpassing the range of many existing global BVR missiles, including the Meteor.

Indian Air Force jets armed with Gandiva will now be capable of striking enemy aircraft long before they come within firing range. In today’s battlefield where the first shot often decides the winner, this capability provides a massive strategic edge.

The missile isn’t just long-ranged — it’s exceptionally maneuverable. It can engage targets with a 20° angle of attack and adjust ±10 km vertically, allowing it to take down high-value enemy assets like AWACS, refueling tankers, and even stealth fighters operating at extreme altitudes.

With a body length of 3.8 meters and a variable diameter up to 200 mm, Gandiva is engineered for precision and endurance. Unlike traditional rocket-powered missiles, which lose speed mid-flight, its SFDR engine maintains thrust over the entire flight, significantly reducing evasion chances for enemy aircraft.

What further enhances Gandiva’s lethality is its two-way data link system. This allows the missile to receive real-time course corrections from the launch aircraft or AWACS, ensuring optimal path adjustments mid-flight. Once in the terminal phase, its advanced seeker takes over, delivering accuracy even in dense electronic warfare environments.

Gandiva’s expected test firing from the Su-30MKI platform is seen as the next major milestone. Once cleared for induction, it will arm frontline fighters such as the Su-30MKI, Tejas Mk1A, and potentially Rafale, Mirage-2000, and AMCA, offering broad integration across India’s combat fleet.

This development is not just about new weaponry — it's a testament to India's growing prowess in indigenous defense technology. In the face of adversaries like China’s PL-15 and Pakistan’s AIM-120C5, Gandiva emerges as a homegrown answer that’s faster, longer-reaching, and smarter.

Mass production within India will ensure the IAF remains combat-ready at all times, free from the limitations of foreign supply chains. It also offers cost advantages, making the Astra Mk-III not only more effective but also economically sustainable.

The Indian Navy’s adoption of earlier Astra versions hints that Gandiva may eventually find space aboard carrier-based fighters too. With its unmatched capability, Gandiva marks a defining moment in India’s shift toward next-generation aerial dominance.

More than just a missile, Gandiva embodies the vision of Aatmanirbhar Bharat in high-end aerospace — reinforcing India's ability to develop, deploy, and scale sophisticated defense platforms independently.

Written by Defence Expert