DRDO Renames Astra MK-III Missile as Gandiva

In March 2025, the Defence Research & Development Organisation (DRDO) officially 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 set to redefine beyond visual range (BVR) aerial combat.

  • The missile has a strike range of 340 km at 20 km altitude and 190 km at 8 km altitude, surpassing China’s PL-15 (300 km) and the U.S. AIM-174 BVRAAM (240 km).
  • Powered by a dual-fuel ducted ramjet engine, allowing flexible altitude launches from sea level to 20 km.
  • Features ±10 km snap-up/snap-down capability, enabling engagement of threats at varying altitudes.
  • Designed to counter ....
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