Gandiva

In March 2025, the Defence Research & Development Organisation (DRDO) renamed Astra Mk-III, India’s most advanced air-to-air missile, as Gandiva, after Arjuna’s legendary bow from the Mahabharata.

The missile is expected to redefine Beyond Visual Range (BVR) aerial combat by combining long-range strike capability with advanced ramjet propulsion.

Key Features of Gandiva Missile

Feature	Details
Original Name	Earlier known as Astra Mk-III.
Missile Type	India’s advanced Beyond Visual Range Air-to-Air Missile (BVRAAM).
Naming Reference	Named after Arjuna’s legendary bow from the Mahabharata.
Propulsion System	Powered by a dual-fuel ducted ramjet engine.
Fighter Integration	Planned for integration with Sukhoi Su-30MKI and LCA Tejas fighter jets.

Range, Speed and Combat Capability

Parameter	Specification
Strike Range at 20 km Altitude	Around 340 km.
Strike Range at 8 km Altitude	Around 190 km.
Altitude Flexibility	Supports flexible altitude launches from sea level to 20 km.
Angle of Attack	Designed to counter manoeuvrable aircraft with an angle of attack up to 20 degrees.
Launch Speed	Launch speed ranges from 0.8 Mach to 2.2 Mach.
Target Engagement Speed	Can engage targets moving at 2.0 to 3.6 Mach.

Comparative Edge

Missile	Reported Range
Gandiva / Astra Mk-III	Around 340 km at 20 km altitude.
China’s PL-15	Around 300 km.
U.S. AIM-174 BVRAAM	Around 240 km.

PT Facts

Gandiva: Renamed version of Astra Mk-III.
BVR: Stands for Beyond Visual Range.
BVRAAM: Stands for Beyond Visual Range Air-to-Air Missile.
Ducted Ramjet Propulsion: Helps missiles sustain high speed over longer distances.

Source:

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