MiG-29 fighter aircraft will be equipped with this deadly missile, China and Pakistan will lose their sleep

Ashram Missile: The Indian Air Force is going to equip its fleet of MiG-29 fighter aircraft with the missile ASRAAM, which will significantly increase the combat capabilities of the aircraft and make the MiG-29 more lethal. The Defense Ministry on March 25 issued a request for proposals for integration and testing of ASRAAM on the MiG-29 UPG variant. The contract will include not only the missiles but also the required launchers, associated equipment and training for aircrew and ground personnel.

What is India’s MiG-29 jet fighter?

ASRAAM, a European-designed short-range air-to-air missile manufactured by multinational MBDA, has already been integrated into the indigenous LCA Tejas and Jaguar aircraft. It has a declared range of more than 25 kilometers, more than double the range of the Soviet-era R-73 missile it is to replace on the MiG-29. The Indian Air Force currently operates more than 55 MiG-29 aircraft, including eight two-seat training versions.

China and Pakistan will lose their sleep

Both China and Pakistan have almost similar weapons. Beijing put the PL-10 into service in 2015 and has fitted it to J-10C, J-16 and J-20 fighter aircraft. The PL-10’s range is said to be 20 to 30 kilometers and its maximum speed is Mach 4. Pakistan has integrated its export version, the PL-10E, into the JF-17 Block III. According to defense sources, due to ASRAAM’s larger rocket engine its firepower and overall performance is much higher than its Chinese counterpart. The length of this missile is 2.9 meters, its weight is 88 kg and it is fitted with a high explosive warhead.

This upgrade comes at a time when the MiG-29 continues to play a central role in Indian air defence. On March 12, Air Chief Marshal AP Singh himself flew a MiG-29 to assess operational readiness along the border with Pakistan. The aircraft is tasked with maintaining air superiority on India’s western border and is a multi-role aircraft capable of performing both air-to-air and air-to-ground missions.

Played an important role in Operation Sindoor

It saw active service during Operation Vermillion in 2025. With the induction of ASRAAM, the Russian-designed fourth-generation fighter aircraft will receive modern short-range strike capability, which officials believe will strengthen the Air Force’s posture against potential air threats from both China and Pakistan.

What is ASRAAM missile?

ASRAAM is said to be a fourth generation missile and the Indian Air Force plans to replace the R-73 missile in its entire fleet. The ASRAAM uses heat-seeking technology and is optimized for close air combat. It works on the fire-and-forget principle, which means that once launched, the missile reaches the target on its own without any further instructions from the pilot. It can achieve speeds of more than Mach 3, engage high-flying fighter aircraft at ranges of more than 25 kilometres, and deliver accurate engagements.