DRDO Boosts Astra Missile Range Beyond 300 Kilometres to Strengthen India’s Air Defence

DRDO announces that the Astra air‑to‑air missile will be upgraded to achieve a range of more than 300 kilometres and enhanced lethality, aiming to match or exceed contemporary regional systems for future combat scenarios and improved guidance.

Astra missile development, led by the Defence Research and Development Organisation, has progressed through flight trials and is slated for induction into the Indian Air Force’s fighter fleet within the next few years.

Indian defence tech analysts quoted in a Moneycontrol opinion argue that such missile upgrades could turn defence hardware into a major software development platform, driving new domestic coding and simulation businesses.

Regional security observers note that a longer‑range Astra could shift the balance of air power in South Asia, giving India a broader deterrent envelope and reducing reliance on imported weapons.