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© French Air and Space Force

predecessor, the MICA NG will be signatures, atypical targets (UAVs result in a loss of sales for foreign
available as a single missile casing and small aircraft), as well as missile OEMs, as hitherto India
with the option of two different combat aircraft and helicopters. In had to import its entire requirement
seekers (IR and RF) and two launch what is an important step towards for such weapons. The Astra MK-I
modes (rail and ejection) The new reducing the missile’s overall life-cy- BVRAAM has been developed to
IR seeker uses a matrix sensor cle costs, the MICA NG is fitted meet the Air Staff Requirements
which provides greater sensitivity, with internal sensors which allow its issued by the IAF to reduce the
while the RF seeker uses an Active condition to be monitored through- dependency on foreign sources,
Electronically Scanned Antenna out its life (including during storage MoD officials say adding,
(AESA) for enhanced detection and transport). The MICA has
ranges. The MICA NG will carry been exported to over 14 countries “the missile is
a larger quantity of propellant, worldwide.
enabled by the reduced volume technologically and
of electronic components packed economically
inside it. A new double-pulse rocket Homegrown Contender
motor provides additional energy India now has its own homegrown superior to many
to the missile at the end of its flight BVRAAM in the Defence Research such imported
to improve manoeuvrability and the & Development Organisation
ability to intercept targets at long (DRDO) developed Astra missile. missile systems.”
range. The Astra MK-I BVRAAM has a
quoted range of over 100 km and
features midcourse guidance and
The MICA NG will be better suited RF seeker based terminal guid- In May 2022, the Indian Ministry of
to engage targets with reduced ance. The development of an Defence (MoD) inked a deal with
infrared and electromagnetic indigenous Indian BVRAAM could state-owned missile manufacturer
Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL)
for supply of Astra MK-I BVRAAM
for the Indian Air Force and Indian
Navy in a deal valued at approxi-
mately US$370 million. As per what
is known in the public the Astra
MK-I has been fully integrated on
air force Sukhoi SU-30 MKIs and
Tejas Mk1 fighters. The Navy will
integrate the missile on its MiG-29K
carrier borne fighters. The Astra
© USAF Samuel King Jr MK-1 is slated to have a 25 year
production run..

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