Astra Mk1: Govt places order for First indigenous ‘Beyond Visual Range’ Missile

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Domestic Defence manufacturing capacity of the country is going get yet another boost as the government issues an order for a Rs 3,000-crore missile designed and manufactured indigenously. The Defence Ministry signed a contract with Hyderabad-based Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL) for supply of the indigenously developed Astra Mk-I Beyond Visual Range (BVR) air-to-air missiles and other associated equipment for the Indian Navy and Air Force (IAF) at a cost of Rs. 2,971 Crore. Presently, similar missiles are importaed by India from Russia, Israel and some other manufacturers as the technology to manufacture missiles of this class indigenously was not available here until now.

A Defence Ministry statement conveyed, “Astra Mk-I missile and all associated systems for its launch, ground handling and testing has been developed by Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) in coordination with the IAF.”

“Astra Mk1 has been designed and developed “based on the staff requirements issued by the Indian Air Force catering for beyond visual range as well as close combat engagement, reducing the dependency on foreign sources,” added the statement from the ministry.

The Astra Mk1 missile, successful trials of which have already been undertaken by the Indian Airforce, is fully integrated on the Su-30 MK-I fighter aircraft and will be integrated with other fighter aircraft in a phased manner. Indian Navy will integrate the missile on the MiG-29K fighter aircraft, the statement highlighted.

Astra missile operates with a range of over 100 kms and has a 20-km altitude with modern guidance and navigation techniques and systems. It also possesses mid-course guidance and RF seeker based terminal guidance to achieve target destruction with pin point accuracy. Air to Air missile with ‘Beyond Visual Range’ capability provides large stand off ranges to fighter aircraft which can neutralise enemy aircraft without exposing itself to its air defence measures, thereby gaining and maintaining superiority in the air space.

The contract for the missile will be executed in 6 years. DRDO is already done with the transfer of technology on the missile and associated equipment to BDL and the production has also already started, defence ministry’s statement added.