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ASTRA is a Beyond Visual Range (BVR) class of Air-to-Air Missile (AAM) system designed to be mounted on fighter aircraft.

The missile is designed to engage and destroy highly manoeuvering supersonic aircraft. The missile has all weather day and night capability. The ASTRA Mk-I Weapon System can be fitted to SU-30 Mk-I fighter aircraft.

In 2019, DRDO successfully flight tested ‘Astra’ from Su-30 MKI platform off the coast of Chandipur.

Astra BVRAAM has range of more than 100 kms with modern guidance and navigation techniques. The missile has midcourse guidance and RF seeker based terminal guidance to achieve target destruction with pin point accuracy. Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has developed the ASTRA MK-I BVR AAM based on the requirements issued by the IAF catering for Beyond Visual Range as well as close combat engagement reducing the dependency on foreign sources.

Astra Missile is designed to be launched from fighter aircraft like SU-30, Mirage-2000, MIG-29, LCA-Tejas etc. Astra missile system is developed to neutralise aerial targets such as F-16 aircraft. Filled warheads have been successfully tested for static and dynamic performance.

Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) has played a role in modifying the aircraft for weapon integration. More than 50 public and private industries have contributed in building the Astra weapon system.”The Transfer of Technology from DRDO to BDL for production of ASTRA MK-I missile and all associated systems has been completed and production at BDL is in progress. This project will act as a catalyst for development of Infrastructure and Testing facilities at BDL. It will also create opportunities for several MSMEs in aerospace technology for a period of at least 25 years. The project essentially embodies the spirit of ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’ and will help facilitate realising the country’s journey towards self-reliance in Air to Air Missiles,” the defence ministry said in its release.

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Siddharth Mishra, CMD of Bharat Dynamics, says, “Our present order book is around Rs 11,400 crore. “Our two major products, one is Akash weapon system and last year we have started manufacturing air to air missile Astra and both of these products we are expecting big order from Indian Defence Forces. For both Akash and Astra also we are also at an advanced stage. More than Rs 10,000 crore order we are expecting plus we are expecting few refurbishment orders from defence forces.”

He added, “We are looking at a stronger order book of around Rs 25,000 crore in next two to three years.”

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The contract, which was signed in New Delhi today, will be executed in three years. The order book position of BDL stands at Rs 11,400 crore net including the Konkurs-M contract.

Siddharth Mishra (Retd), Chairman and Managing Director of BDL stated that Konkurs-M is being manufactured by BDL under a license agreement with a Russian Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM).

The missile has been indigenised up to the maximum extent. BDL is also offering Konkurs-M missiles for export to friendly foreign countries.

Bharat Dynamics has augmented its manufacturing capacity to meet the domestic as well as overseas demand for Konkurs-M. As a part of its global outreach, BDL is also offering Man-Portable Anti-Tank Guided Missiles, Nag, Milan-2T, and Amogha, in addition to Konkurs M, for export.

Konkurs-M is a second generation, mechanised infantry anti-tank guided missile, to destroy armoured vehicles equipped with explosive reactive armour. The missile can be launched either from the BMP-II tank or from a ground launcher. It has a range between 75 to 4000 metres.

The Atmanirbhar mission initiated by the government of India has given momentum to the indigenisation efforts of the Company. BDL is also strengthening its in-house Research and Development capabilities to take up product innovation to mitigate the Indian armed forces’ product dependency on foreign countries.

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The Teaming Agreement was signed by Thales and BDL in the presence of UK and Indian Government representatives in a virtual ceremony on 13 January 2021.

Through the agreement, BDL will become a part of the STARStreak global supply chain, providing the opportunity for export of Indian manufactured components to existing and future STARStreak Air Defence customers, including the UK Armed Forces.

In 2017, Thales and BDL had signed a Memorandum of Understanding to assess the opportunity for the transfer of technology for STARStreak. The signing of this teaming agreement confirms a positive outcome from that exploration process.

The agreement will also provide the opportunity for BDL to offer a ‘Make in India’ STARStreak solution to the Indian Government, with a capability that will match the immediate air defence needs of the Indian Army and Air force, and with 60% of the system manufactured in India.

Commodore Siddharth Mishra (Retd), Chairman and Managing Director, Bharat Dynamics Limited, in his address stated that “partnership between Thales and BDL in this project with Transfer of Technology for STARStreak will create a new business opportunity for BDL and its Supply Chain Partners in India. BDL will be able to enhance its footprints in the export market in addition to domestic market with this new business opportunity. The Government of India’s ‘Make in India’ programme, the ‘ease of doing business’ and recent ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ initiatives have created a congenial ecosystem for the foreign OEMs to tie up with Indian Industries like BDL to establish the production facility in India,” he added.

The STARStreak missile system is in service in the British Army and has been procured by defence forces worldwide. The fastest missile in its category, STARStreak is unique due to its three laser-guided darts, which cannot be jammed by any known countermeasure. It has the capability to defeat any air target – even armoured helicopters – as the last line of defence.

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Called the “STARStreak”, the air defence system has a mix of shoulder fired anti-aircraft guns.

The STARStreak Missile System is in service in the British Army and has been procured by defence forces worldwide. The fastest missile in its category, STARStreak has three laser-guided darts, which cannot be jammed by any known countermeasure. It has the capability to defeat any air target – even armed helicopters – and form the last line of defence.

BDL will be a part of the STARStreak global supply chain with an opportunity to export the system to existing and future customers, including the UK Armed Forces.

Earlier, Thales and BDL had signed a Memorandum of Understanding to assess the opportunity for the transfer of technology for STARStreak.

The agreement will allow BDL to offer the STARStreak missile system to the Indian Armed Forces with a minimum of 60 per cent indigenous content as well as design and development of the system, qualifying it under the ‘Make in India’ programme.

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