ASRAAM Missiles: The Indian Air Force is upgrading MiG-29UPG fighter jets to fit these aircraft with ASRAAM missiles. This is being seen as an important step because air threats are changing fast. New dangers in the sky are not always big fighter jets.
Now small drones and other hard-to-track targets are also a serious problem. Recent reporting says India’s Ministry of Defence issued a request for proposals on March 25, 2026 for integrating and testing ASRAAM on the MiG-29UPG, along with launchers, support equipment, and training.
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The MiG-29UPG is already one of the Indian Air Force’s key fighter aircraft. It has been upgraded over time and is still important for air defence work. With this new step, the jet is expected to become stronger in close air combat. Reports say the ASRAAM will replace the older R-73 missile on the aircraft. The ASRAAM has a stated range of more than 25 km, while the older R-73 is reported at around 10 km to 15 km. That gives the MiG-29UPG a better short-range punch than before.
Why the Air Force Wants This Change?
Modern war is not the same as before. One big reason is the rising use of drones. Many of these drones are small and can be very hard to track. Some can fly low. Some can come in groups. Some are built to be less visible to radar. Because of that, older air combat setups may not always be the best answer.
The idea is simple. If a fighter can spot and hit a threat faster, it has a better chance in a real fight. Reports on the upgrade say this move is aimed at improving quick-response air defence and making it easier to deal with small and fast aerial threats. That includes targets that may not show up clearly on normal radar systems.
ASRAAM: Features
ASRAAM stands for Advanced Short Range Air-to-Air Missile. It is a short-range missile made for close combat in the air. It uses infrared guidance, which means it can track heat instead of depending only on radar. That is one reason why many people see it as useful against targets that are harder to catch through radar alone.
MBDA, the missile maker, says ASRAAM has features such as fast cueing from radar or helmet sight, very high speed, all-round target designation, and strong resistance to countermeasures. MBDA also lists the missile at 88 kg in weight and 2.9 m in length.
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This missile is important because it is built for quick action. It is known for strong speed and agility. Reports say it works on a “Fire and forget” technology model, which means after launch it guides itself to the target. That makes things easier for the pilot in a tense combat moment. The missile is also described as able to attack targets at high off-boresight angles, which helps in close fights when the enemy is not directly in front of the aircraft. It can move fast and strike with good accuracy, which is why this upgrade is being treated as a major boost for the MiG-29UPG fleet.
