Indian Air Force Approves Production of 200 Astra Mark-1 Missiles by BDL
– To be Integrated with Sukhoi-30 and Indigenous LCA Tejas Aircraft
– Testing of Mark-2 with 130 km Range to Follow
New Delhi, August 5 (Udaipur Kiran) – The Indian Air Force has approved the production of 200 Astra Mark-1 air-to-air missiles by the public sector company Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL). These Astra missiles will be integrated with the Russian-origin Sukhoi-30 and the indigenous Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas.
Developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), the production agency for Astra missiles is BDL. Air Force officials stated that the production approval was granted to BDL recently during the visit of Indian Air Force Deputy Chief Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit to Hyderabad. The IAF Deputy Chief visited DRDO’s Defence Research and Development Laboratory, the development agency for Astra missiles.
The Defence Acquisition Council approved the project, worth over INR 2,971 crore, on May 31, 2022. With the completion of all tests and developments, production approval for 200 missiles has now been granted. Post-production, the Russian-origin Sukhoi-30 and indigenous LCA Tejas aircraft will be equipped with the Astra missiles. The Indian Air Force is assisting with several indigenous projects for missiles, including three to four programs involving air-to-ground missiles nearing completion.
The Indian Air Force is advancing the indigenous Astra program in collaboration with DRDO. Testing of the Astra Mark-2 missile, which boasts a range of approximately 130 kilometers, is now being considered. Additionally, there are plans to test and develop a long-range Astra missile with a 300-kilometer range.
India previously lacked the technology to indigenously produce missiles in this category. However, the Astra missile can neutralize enemy aircraft without exposing itself to adversary air defense measures. This missile is technologically and economically superior to many imported missile systems. In the future, the Indian Navy’s MiG-29K fighter aircraft will also be equipped with this missile. This project embodies the spirit of ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ (self-reliant India) and will help realize the nation’s aerospace technology aspirations towards self-sufficiency in the air-to-air missile sector.
Bhupendra Singh Chundawat is a seasoned technology journalist with over 22 years of experience in the media industry. He specializes in covering the global technology landscape, with a deep focus on manufacturing trends and the geopolitical impact on tech companies. Currently serving as the Editor at Udaipur Kiran, his insights are shaped by decades of hands-on reporting and editorial leadership in the fast-evolving world of technology.
