Defence Ministry signs contract with BDL for ASTRA MK-I missiles.

June 1, 2022

Defence Ministry signed a contract worth Rs 2,971 crore with the Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL) for supply of ASTRA MK-I Beyond Visual Range (BVR) Air to Air Missile (AAM) and associated equipment for the Indian Air Force and Indian Navy under Buy (Indian-IDDM) category.
The technology to manufacture missiles of this class indigenously was not available. ASTRA MK-I BVR AAM has been indigenously designed and developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO).
The development of ASTRA MK-I BVR AAM would be based on the requirements of the IAF catering for Beyond Visual Range as well as Close Combat Engagement
It will help in reducing the dependency on foreign sources.