Astra Mark 1 Missiles

In August 2024, the Indian Air Force approved Bharat Dynamics Limited for the production of 200 Astra Mark 1 air-to-air missiles, marking a significant advancement in indigenous missile manufacturing.

Key Points

Production Clearance: Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL) has been cleared to manufacture 200 Astra Mark 1 missiles, following a visit by Indian Air Force Deputy Chief Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit to Hyderabad.
Missile Development: The Astra Mark 1 missiles, developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), are being produced by BDL, with production clearance granted after comprehensive testing and development.
Project Approval: The Defence Acquisition Council approved the over ₹2,900 crore project in the 2022-23 fiscal year, with production clearance now issued for the order.
Integration Plans: The Astra missiles will be integrated onto both Russian-origin Su-30 and indigenous LCA Tejas fighter aircraft upon production completion.
Indigenous Support: The Indian Air Force is actively supporting indigenous missile projects, with several air-to-ground missile programs nearing completion.
Future Developments: The Astra programme is progressing with plans to test the Mark 2 version, which is expected to have a range of around 130 km, and future development includes a long-range Astra with a 300 km strike capability.