The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) is gearing up to massively increase the production of the indigenous Astra Beyond-Visual-Range Air-to-Air Missile (BVRAAM).
According to a May 24, 2026 report by Business Standard, the agency plans to integrate private-sector companies into the Astra's manufacturing supply chain.
While Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL) has traditionally spearheaded the production of these missiles, introducing private players marks a vital step toward achieving high-volume output.
This initiative highlights a fundamental transformation in India’s defence manufacturing strategy.
The military is transitioning away from restricted peacetime purchasing and focusing instead on building industrial-level capacity.
The goal is to ensure the country can sustain long-term production during high-intensity conflict scenarios.
Military planners have closely studied the immense ammunition consumption rates in the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war and the prolonged crises in West Asia.
These modern conflicts have proven that having advanced fighter jets is not enough; the ability of a nation's industrial base to rapidly replenish precision-guided munitions—like the Mach 4.5-capable Astra missile—is equally critical in a war of attrition.
Evolving threats in the immediate neighborhood are also accelerating this shift.
With reports indicating that Pakistan is moving toward establishing a dedicated Army Rocket Force Command, India is treating the reinforcement of its aerial combat and precision-strike inventories with utmost urgency.
A deep, readily available stockpile of indigenous air-to-air missiles is essential to guarantee air superiority in any future skirmish.
This production expansion perfectly aligns with the Ministry of Defence’s ongoing push for self-reliance.
Today, domestic enterprises secure over 80 percent of India's defence procurement by value.
Furthermore, the role of private industries has matured dramatically, shifting from supplying minor electronic components to developing and manufacturing complete, complex weapon systems.
By distributing Astra production across DRDO labs, public sector undertakings, large private defence firms, and MSMEs, India is building a highly resilient wartime supply network.
The expansion comes at a highly opportune moment, following the Defence Acquisition Council's (DAC) recent clearances for upgraded variants of the missile.
As part of a massive ₹1.30 lakh crore allocation for domestic military hardware, the DAC approved the procurement of the Astra Mk2.
Open-source data indicates the Mk2 utilizes a dual-pulse solid rocket motor, pushing its engagement range to approximately 160 kilometres.
It also features superior seeker technology designed to overcome heavy electronic warfare jamming and strike highly agile targets. Manufacturing the Mk1 and Mk2 variants simultaneously will require a vastly expanded industrial footprint.
Finally, scaling up through private industry opens lucrative avenues for global trade.
The Astra system has already seen successful integration with the Su-30MKI and is being equipped on the indigenous LCA Tejas.
This makes it an incredibly attractive, cost-effective upgrade for friendly foreign nations that operate Su-30, MiG-29, or similar fighter fleets.
By harnessing the efficiency and scale of the private sector, India aims to meet the massive demands of its own armed forces while positioning itself as a key exporter of advanced aerial weapons.
