India orders Astra air-to-air missiles from BDL
India has ordered a sizeable quantity of Astra air-to-air missiles to arm its fighters. (Gordon Arthur)
As part of its goal to boost indigenous production, India has ordered air-to-air missiles for its fighters from a state-owned company.
India’s MoD has signed an INR29.71 billion ($382.7 million) contract with state-owned Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL) for an undisclosed number of indigenously developed Astra Mk.1 beyond-visual-range air-to-air missiles (BVRAAM) and associated equipment.
These missiles will arm Indian Air Force (IAF) Su-30MKI and Indian Navy MiG-29K/KUB fighters.
Designed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), the Astra BVRAAMs have a 110km strike range.
Although the MoD declined to enumerate the quantity of Astras it had ordered on 31 May under the Indigenous Designed, Developed and Manufactured category of Defence Acquisition Procedure-2020, military sources put this number at around 200.
Already have an account? Log in
Want to keep reading this article?
More from Air Warfare
-
![StormShroud enters service with UK RAF to suppress enemy air defences]()
StormShroud enters service with UK RAF to suppress enemy air defences
StormShroud is designed to support UK Royal Air Force (RAF) Lockheed Martin F-35B and Eurofighter Typhoon fighter aircraft by providing suppression of enemy air defences (SEAD). It is built around the Tekever AR3 uncrewed aerial system (UAS) and Leonardo BriteStorm electronic warfare (EW) jammer payload.
-
![Ground tests for CCA programme underway with flight tests to start mid-2025, says USAF]()
Ground tests for CCA programme underway with flight tests to start mid-2025, says USAF
The ground test phase for the Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) programme will bridge the gap between prototype design and flight, laying essential groundwork ahead of fielding the uncrewed aircraft.
-
![Italian Army receives first UH-169D light utility helicopter]()
Italian Army receives first UH-169D light utility helicopter
The delivery is the first in a total of 25 helicopters on order, with all deliveries expected to be completed by 2027.
