Astra Mk2 vs BrahMos-NG: The Defence Research and Development Organisation is now working on a new missile called BrahMos-NG, which means BrahMos Next Generation. This new missile will be smaller and lighter than the one we have now. The main big change is that the current BrahMos can only be used on the Sukhoi aircraft, but the new one will be able to fit on almost any aircraft.
The DRDO chief explained it in very simple words saying, “We are looking at BrahMos-NG, which is a smaller version of BrahMos, which can then be fitted on all our other platforms. Today, BrahMos can only be fitted on the Sukhoi platform, but if we can make it smaller, we can fit it on all our platforms. We are planning to start it soon” reported India.com.
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The BrahMos-NG will still be very powerful. It will have a range of around 300 km and will travel at a speed of about Mach 3.5, which is more than three times the speed of sound. It is designed to hit both land and sea targets with high precision, meaning it can strike enemies from far away without putting the aircraft in danger.
Astra Mark 2
While work is going on for BrahMos-NG, Astra Mark 2 is also making news. This is not the same type of missile as BrahMos because Astra is an air-to-air missile, which means it is made for shooting down enemy aircraft in the sky. The Astra Mark 2 can go up to a distance of 150 to 180 km and can travel at around Mach 4.5, which is even faster than the BrahMos-NG. The big advantage is that it can help Indian pilots take out enemy planes before they come close, giving India a big edge in aerial fights.
The Astra series is getting more upgrades too. There is already an Astra Mark 1 in use, and now the Mark 2 is being developed. There is also a longer range Mark 3 coming, which could have abilities like the Meteor missiles that came with the Rafale jets. This is important because our neighbors like Pakistan may have Chinese PL-15 long range air-to-air missiles.
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Astra Mk2 vs BrahMos-NG
If we compare the two, they both have very different jobs. The Astra Mark 2 is made for air dominance, meaning it is best for winning air battles and shooting down enemy planes from far away. The BrahMos-NG is made for heavy strikes on the ground or sea from a safe distance. Astra goes faster, up to Mach 4.5, but BrahMos-NG can travel further, about 300 km.
