IAF Sanctions Astra Missile Production by DRDO and BDL

IAF Sanctions Astra Missile Production by DRDO and BDL: The Indian Air Force (IAF) has recently approved the production of 200 Astra Mark 1 air-to-air missiles, marking a significant advancement in India's indigenous missile capabilities. This clearance allows Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL), a public sector enterprise, to commence manufacturing these advanced missiles.

IAF Sanctions Astra Missile Production by DRDO and BDL

• Missile Production Approval : The IAF has authorized BDL to produce 200 Astra Mark 1 missiles, an important step in bolstering the country's air combat capabilities.
• Development and Production : The Astra Mark 1 missiles have been developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), with BDL designated as the production agency.
• Recent Visit : The production clearance was granted during a visit by Indian Air Force Deputy Chief Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit to Hyderabad, where he also visited the DRDO's Defence Research and Development Laboratory (DRDL), the project's nodal lab.
• Project Details : The project, valued at over ₹2,900 crore, received approval from the Defence Acquisition Council in the 2022-23 fiscal year. The clearance follows the completion of all necessary tests and developmental phases.
• Integration Plans : The Astra missiles are set to be integrated with both the Russian-origin Su-30MKI and the indigenous LCA Tejas fighter aircraft, enhancing their operational effectiveness.
• Future Developments : The DRDO and IAF are progressing with the Astra program, including plans for testing the Astra Mark 2, which aims to achieve a range of approximately 130 km. Additionally, ongoing efforts are to develop a long-range variant with a strike capability of up to 300 km.
• Indigenous Efforts : This initiative is part of India's broader efforts to develop indigenous missile technologies, with several other missile programs nearing completion, including air-to-ground variants.

What is Astra Mark 1 Missile?