Saudi Arabia in talks with India to integrate Astra missiles on fighter jets

Saudi Arabia has entered discussions with India to explore the integration of Astra long-range air-to-air missiles onto several Royal Saudi Air Force fighter jets, according to the defense news portal Indian Defence News.

The report noted that Saudi Arabia is among six countries expressing interest in acquiring Astra missiles, alongside Armenia, Indonesia, and others. This follows the missile’s successful operational use by the Indian Air Force during Operation Sindoor.

Regional talks and negotiations

The portal highlighted that the Royal Saudi Air Force operates fleets of F-15S, F-15SA, and Eurofighter Typhoon aircraft, and that technical talks are underway to integrate the Astra missile with these platforms. Armenia, meanwhile, has reached an advanced stage of negotiations to equip its Su-30SM fighters with Astra, while India and Indonesia have signed a preliminary agreement, with purchase quantities and final value to be determined later.

Astra missile specifications

The report added that the Astra MK-1 missile, developed by India’s Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and produced by Bharat Dynamics Limited, can reach speeds of up to Mach 4.5 and has a range of 80 to 110 kilometers. The MK-2 version has been tested at ranges between 200 and 240 kilometers, while the MK-3 variant, currently in development, is expected to exceed a range of 300 kilometers.

The report also noted that defense experts consider the Astra missile highly accurate and around 70% less expensive than some comparable global systems, enhancing its export appeal and prompting India to expand production with private sector participation to meet both domestic and international demand.

Negotiations between Saudi Arabia and India are ongoing, and no final agreement has yet been announced regarding the deal or the integration of the missile onto Saudi fighter jets.