BDL Accelerates Astra Mk1 Missile Production, Targets Global Expansion

Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL), India's state-owned defence manufacturer, is significantly ramping up production of its Astra Mk1 beyond visual range (BVR) air-to-air missile, positioning itself to meet growing domestic and international demand.

The company is approaching a production rate of 50 Astra Mk1 missiles annually and has the capacity to further increase output to 100 missiles per year if needed. This expansion comes as BDL anticipates a major follow-on order from the Indian Air Force (IAF), which has already contracted for over 500 missiles.

The Astra Mk1 represents a significant advancement for the IAF, providing a domestically produced BVR missile to replace older, imported systems. This indigenous weapon significantly enhances India's aerial combat capabilities, allowing engagement of enemy aircraft at extended ranges.

BDL's success with the Astra Mk1 has also garnered international interest. Several countries operating Su-30 fighter jets, compatible with the missile, have expressed interest in the Astra Mk1 as a replacement for their aging Russian models.

In addition to existing IAF contracts, BDL anticipates orders for 400-500 more Astra Mk1 missiles, solidifying its position as a mainstay of India's air defence arsenal.

The Indian government actively promotes the Astra Mk1 as part of its "Make in India" initiative, aiming to bolster domestic defence production and reduce import reliance. The missile's success exemplifies the growing capabilities of India's defence industry.

Additional Information (Open Source)​

• The Ministry of Defence (MoD) recently awarded a ₹2900 crore contract to BDL for Astra Mk1 missiles and associated equipment for the IAF and Indian Navy.
• BDL has obtained Bulk Production Clearance for the Astra Mk1 from the Centre for Military Airworthiness and Certification (CEMILAC).
• The first batch of production Astra Missiles for the Indian Air Force was flagged off from Bharat Dynamics Limited's Kanchanbagh Unit in Hyderabad on January 14, 2024.

As BDL accelerates Astra Mk1 production, it is set to play a pivotal role in India's defence modernization efforts and contribute to the country's rising prominence as a global arms exporter.

 

[sanket]

India going to add more than 650 TO 700 (114 MRFA +220 Tejas MK1A +200 Tejas MK2+126 AMCA+100 TEDBF)Pus 36 Rafale +26 Rafale Marine ,Fighter jets in coming 15 years , plus 272 Super sukhoi production rate should b Further Increase 100 to 150 Missile per year . Atleast 4 to 8 Astra BVR Missile may b Integrated on one Fighter jet .Another thing is Astra MK2 in coming years may go in production . there will high requirement Followed by Astra MK3 . From Domestic requirement to Export market.

 

[Satya Dev]

BDL's production rate of 50-100 AstrMk1 missiles per year is quite low - please increase it to 200 missiles per year!

 

[NSR]

India surely needs thousands of them.
Establish a private company production line ASAP.

 

[Aravind]

we need test continously this astra mk1 missiles like brahmos

 

[Baba Baati Baachur]

India had ordered 50 Astra missiles in the first batch as low scale production batch for testing and then has ordered 250 missiles in 2022. So total 300 missiles have been ordered and not 500 which the article claims.

 

[Sandeep]

India should definitely ramp up production to at least 200+ missiles a year if it wants to arm its entire fleet of Sukhoi jets, Rafale, Mirage 2000, Mig 29UPG, Jaguar, Tejas MK1A and MK2 in the future, Mig 29K and future jets or drones so there is a large number of missiles we need to develop.

Also we will need to start manufacturing the Astra IR, MK2, MK3 along with the Rudram MK1, MK2 and MK3 which can cover all of our range of air to air and air to surface range and type of missiles which can cut down on foreign expensive imports. All of the technology and parts should be designed and developed 100% indigenously and we shouldn't make any foreign missiles for our Air Force to use unless we haven't developed it ourselves.

We can also make foreign missiles under a license that we can sell to other countries at a cheaper price which will help our military industry to grow at a high and fast rate.

 

[Boomeranger]

BDL's production rate of 50-100 AstrMk1 missiles per year is quite low - please increase it to 200 missiles per year!

Need to keep 1000 missiles every year of production rate now... Can keep test firing 100's every year to proof them also!

 

[Boomeranger]

India going to add more than 650 TO 700 (114 MRFA +220 Tejas MK1A +200 Tejas MK2+126 AMCA+100 TEDBF)Pus 36 Rafale +26 Rafale Marine ,Fighter jets in coming 15 years , plus 272 Super sukhoi production rate should b Further Increase 100 to 150 Missile per year . Atleast 4 to 8 Astra BVR Missile may b Integrated on one Fighter jet .Another thing is Astra MK2 in coming years may go in production . there will high requirement Followed by Astra MK3 . From Domestic requirement to Export market.

MK1A-MK1B-MWF-MK2-ORCA-AMCA = 1500 jets and also import minus 5th gen. and 5th gen at least 400 nos. of jets...

 

[Indian1]

India going to add more than 650 TO 700 (114 MRFA +220 Tejas MK1A +200 Tejas MK2+126 AMCA+100 TEDBF)Pus 36 Rafale +26 Rafale Marine ,Fighter jets in coming 15 years , plus 272 Super sukhoi production rate should b Further Increase 100 to 150 Missile per year . Atleast 4 to 8 Astra BVR Missile may b Integrated on one Fighter jet .Another thing is Astra MK2 in coming years may go in production . there will high requirement Followed by Astra MK3 . From Domestic requirement to Export market.

In your dreams. India will add 0 jets. Mrfa, mmrca, all are being talked about for the last 25 years. No agreement reached and 0 jets bought.

 

[Ayyadurai Namasivayam]

Astra mk1 range is not matching pl15 or aamram aim120 d or meteor missiles. So atleast 160 km range is required.

 

[Ajath Shri]

It needs to triple actually. Missiles need to be stocked for training , for combat and sufficient quantity to be maintained as reserves.

 

[Ajath Shri]

Astra mk1 range is not matching pl15 or aamram aim120 d or meteor missiles. So atleast 160 km range is required.

Have you not heard about ASTRA MK 2