Why in news?
In late March 2026 the Indian Air Force issued a request for proposals to equip its MiG‑29 UPG fighters with the European‑designed Advanced Short Range Air‑to‑Air Missile (ASRAAM). The plan will see the older R‑73 missiles replaced by this modern heat‑seeking weapon. Earlier contracts already integrated ASRAAM on Jaguar strike aircraft and the Tejas light combat aircraft, and the latest decision will extend those improvements to frontline MiG‑29 interceptors.
Background
ASRAAM is a fourth‑generation, infrared‑guided missile developed by the European consortium MBDA. Designed as a dogfight weapon, it uses an advanced imaging infrared seeker that homes in on heat from an enemy aircraft. India began evaluating the missile to upgrade its ageing Soviet‑era air‑to‑air arsenal. With China and Pakistan fielding agile missiles like the PL‑10, the Indian Air Force sought a comparable system. In February 2017 MBDA and Bharat Dynamics Limited signed an agreement to assemble and test ASRAAM in India, allowing local production and support.
Key features of ASRAAM
- Range and speed: The missile can engage targets at distances of roughly 25–30 km and flies at more than three times the speed of sound. It can pull extreme manoeuvres (up to 50 G) to intercept agile aircraft.
- Seek and destroy: Its imaging infrared seeker provides 90° off‑boresight capability, meaning pilots can lock on to targets far off the aircraft’s nose using helmet‑mounted sights.
- Warhead and size: ASRAAM carries a 10 kg blast‑fragmentation warhead. The missile is about 2.9 m long and weighs around 88 kg.
- Fully fire‑and‑forget: After launch, the missile guides itself without additional commands, letting pilots disengage and manoeuvre.
- Indian integration: ASRAAM has already been integrated on the Indian Jaguar and Tejas aircraft. The plan to fit it on MiG‑29s will standardise short‑range armament across multiple platforms and replace the ageing Russian R‑73 missile.
Significance
Upgrading to ASRAAM will dramatically improve the MiG‑29’s dogfighting capability. The missile’s extended range, high agility and sophisticated seeker give pilots an edge in short‑range air combat. Local assembly through Bharat Dynamics Limited also contributes to self‑reliance in defence manufacturing. By modernising its fighter fleet, the Air Force is responding to evolving regional threats and enhancing interoperability among aircraft types.
