The indigenously built Astra air-to-air missiles, which are slated for the Indian Air Force (IAF), were flagged off on Sunday at Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL) in Kanchanbagh, marking a momentous occasion. This represents a major advancement in India's pursuit of autonomy in cutting-edge weaponry.
The Astra is an air-to-air missile that can travel over 100 kilometres, making it a deadly weapon for use beyond visual range (BVR).
The Astra, developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and manufactured by BDL, is regarded as the greatest in its class worldwide.
DRDO stated in a press release, “The Astra Weapon System (AWS) is the best in its class of weapon systems in the world in the category of air-to-air missiles.” This recognition places India at the forefront of missile technology.
With the Astra's successful launch, BDL has cemented its place as one of the few global companies that can manufacture state-of-the-art air-to-air missiles. This accomplishment marks the pinnacle of the hard work of Indian engineers and scientists and opens the door to more autonomy in the defence industry.
The BDL team is proactively seeking export prospects for the Astra, leveraging its remarkable capabilities and broad range of fighter aircraft compatibility.
Numerous nations who use Su-30 aircraft built in Russia and lack reliable air-to-air missile systems have shown a strong interest in the Astra.
Its effective integration with the Su-30MKI fleet of the IAF enhances its worldwide sales credentials even further.
The flag-off of the Astra is significant not only for the BDL and the IAF, but also for India's defence ambitions.
This homegrown weapon system represents the nation's increasing ability to create cutting-edge military technology and highlights its potential to dominate the world in the defence industry.
