ASTRA vs Iris-T
The ASTRA and the Iris-T are both Air-to-Air missiles. The ASTRA has a range of 340 km — 14:1 the Iris-T's 25 km. The ASTRA reaches 5,513 km/h vs 3,704 km/h for the Iris-T. The ASTRA carries a 15 kg warhead vs 11.5 kg for the Iris-T. Launch weight is 154 kg for the ASTRA vs 87 kg for the Iris-T. The ASTRA uses Mid-course FOG-INS, terminal ARH guidance, while the Iris-T relies on Imaging infrared homing. Unit cost is $0.95M for the ASTRA vs $0.47M for the Iris-T. The Iris-T entered service 14 years before the ASTRA (2005 vs 2019).
| Indian air-to-air missile, entered service in 2019, with a range of 340 km. | |
| Origin | 🇮🇳 India |
| Category | Air-to-Air |
| Type | Beyond-visual-range air-to-air missile |
| Manufacturer | Bharat Dynamics Limited |
| Service year | 2019 |
| Number produced | -- units |
| Estimated unit price | $1.0 million |
| German air-to-air missile, entered service in 2005, uses imaging infrared homing for guidance. | |
| Origin | 🇩🇪 Germany |
| Category | Air-to-Air |
| Type | Infrared-guided air-to-air missile |
| Manufacturer | Diehl BGT |
| Service year | 2005 |
| Number produced | 5,000 units |
| Estimated unit price | $0.5 million |
| Range | 340.0 km ◉ |
| Maximum speed | Mach 4.5 ◉ |
| Weight | 154 kg ◉ |
| Warhead | 15.0 kg ◉ |
| Length | 3.84 m ◉ |
| Diameter | 200 mm ◉ |
| Guidance | Mid-course FOG-INS, terminal ARH |
| Warhead type | High-explosive pre-fragmented |
| Range | 25.0 km ◉ |
| Maximum speed | Mach 3.0 ◉ |
| Weight | 87 kg ◉ |
| Warhead | 11.5 kg ◉ |
| Length | 2.94 m ◉ |
| Diameter | 127 mm ◉ |
| Guidance | Imaging infrared homing |
| Warhead type | High Explosive / Fragmentation |
Performance Radar Chart
Frequently Asked Questions
Which has longer range, the ASTRA or Iris-T?
The ASTRA has a longer range at 340 km compared to the Iris-T's 25 km.
Which is faster, the ASTRA or Iris-T?
The ASTRA is faster with a maximum speed of Mach 4.5 compared to the Iris-T's Mach 3.0.
Which has a larger warhead, the ASTRA or Iris-T?
The ASTRA carries a larger warhead at 15 kg compared to the Iris-T's 11 kg.
Which is heavier, the ASTRA or Iris-T?
The ASTRA is heavier at 154 kg compared to the Iris-T's 87 kg.
Which is longer, the ASTRA or Iris-T?
The ASTRA is longer at 3.84 meters compared to the Iris-T's 2.94 meters.
What guidance systems do the ASTRA and Iris-T use?
The ASTRA uses Mid-course FOG-INS, terminal ARH guidance while the Iris-T uses Imaging infrared homing guidance.
Which entered service first, the ASTRA or Iris-T?
The Iris-T entered service first in 2005, 14 years before the ASTRA which entered service in 2019.