Vajra — Adapt and Deliver
Adapt and Deliver
Fourteen hardpoints and internal weapons bays give the Vajra unmatched flexibility across all mission types.
Vajra — Adapt and Deliver
Fourteen hardpoints and internal weapons bays give the Vajra unmatched flexibility across all mission types.
The Vajra was designed from the outset to carry the full spectrum of India's existing and future air-launched weapons without modification — and to carry the most capable weapons internally to preserve stealth.
Two internal weapon bays, each 4.2 m long, can carry up to four beyond-visual-range air-to-air missiles or two 1,000 kg precision-guided bombs in stealth configuration. Twelve wing and fuselage external hardpoints rated up to 1,500 kg each are available when stealth is not required, enabling a maximum external stores load of 9,000 kg.
The Vajra is cleared for the Astra Mk2 active-radar BVR missile (range 160 km), the Python-5 short-range IR missile (off-boresight ±90°), and will integrate the domestic Gandiva very-long-range missile (range 350+ km) from 2026. Internal carriage of four Astra Mk2 missiles is the primary configuration for air-superiority missions.
For precision strike, the Vajra carries the domestically developed Rudram anti-radiation missile, SAAW (Smart Anti-Airfield Weapon), SPICE-250 precision-guided bombs, and the BrahMos-NG supersonic cruise missile — at 750 kg the smallest and lightest BrahMos yet developed.
Maritime strike capability is provided by the Harpoon NG anti-ship missile and the domestic NASM-SR (Naval Anti-Ship Missile — Short Range). For deep interdiction, the Crystal Maze 2 standoff cruise missile provides a range of 250 km with terminal precision of less than 3 m CEP.