Indian Air Force Approves Production of 200 Astra Mark 1 Missiles by Bharat Dynamics Limited
The Indian Air Force has given the green light to Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL) to produce 200 Astra Mark 1 air-to-air missiles. These missiles were developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) with BDL as the production agency.
Approval and Development
The production clearance was granted during a visit by the Indian Air Force Deputy Chief Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit to Hyderabad. The project, valued at over Rs 2,900 crore, was initially approved in 2022-23 by the Defence Acquisition Council. The Defence Research and Development Laboratory (DRDL) is the main lab for this project.
Integration and Future Plans
The Astra missiles will be integrated into both the Russian-origin Su-30 and the indigenous LCA Tejas fighter aircraft. The Indian Air Force is supporting several indigenous missile projects, including air-to-ground missiles. The DRDO and IAF are also working on testing the Astra Mark 2 with a range of 130 km and developing a long-range version with a 300 km strike capability.
Doubts Revealed
Indian Air Force -: The Indian Air Force (IAF) is the air branch of the Indian Armed Forces. It is responsible for protecting Indian airspace and conducting aerial warfare during conflicts.
Bharat Dynamics Limited -: Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL) is an Indian government-owned company that makes missiles and other defense equipment. It is based in Hyderabad, India.
Astra Mark 1 -: Astra Mark 1 is an air-to-air missile developed by India. It is designed to be launched from fighter jets to destroy enemy aircraft.
Defence Research and Development Organisation -: The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) is an Indian government agency responsible for developing technology for the military. They create things like missiles, tanks, and other defense equipment.
Su-30 -: The Su-30 is a type of fighter jet used by the Indian Air Force. It is a powerful aircraft designed for air combat and ground attacks.
LCA Tejas -: LCA Tejas is a lightweight, multi-role fighter jet developed in India. It is used by the Indian Air Force for various missions.
Rs 2,900 crore -: Rs 2,900 crore is a large amount of money, equal to 29 billion rupees. It is used to describe the cost of the missile production project.
IAF Deputy Chief Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit -: Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit is a high-ranking officer in the Indian Air Force. As the Deputy Chief, he helps lead and manage the Air Force.
Hyderabad -: Hyderabad is a major city in India, located in the state of Telangana. It is known for its technology industry and historical sites.
Astra Mark 2 -: Astra Mark 2 is an improved version of the Astra Mark 1 missile. It is still being developed and tested for better performance.
300 km strike capability -: A 300 km strike capability means the missile can hit targets that are up to 300 kilometers away. This makes it a long-range weapon.
