Last Updated on 05/08/2024 by wccexam Desk
In a boost to Indian missile manufacturing capabilities, the Indian Air Force has approved DRDO and BDL to produce Astra air-to-air missiles for its Su-3O and LCA Tejas fighter jets. The DRDO and BDL combination was approved for the programme during the recent visit of IAF Deputy Chief Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit to Hyderabad. Senior defence officials told India Today that DRDO is the development agency for the project, while BDL is the production agency for it.
The program was approved by the Defence Acquisition Council for the Indian Air Force and the Indian Navy, under which 248 missiles were to be produced for both the services in 2022-23. The Astra series of air-to-air missiles is part of the Astra program, which aims to enhance the aerial combat capabilities of the Indian armed forces. The Astra Mark 1 missile is the predecessor of the Mark 2, which has already been successfully inducted into both the Indian Air Force and the Navy.
DRDO is making a special motor
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Senior defence officials told India Today that work is currently underway on the Astra Mark 2 missiles and the first test of this missile with a range of 130 kilometres is going to take place in the coming months. To increase the range of the missile, DRDO is considering developing a special motor. The range of the existing Astra Mark 1 missile is up to 100 kilometres, which can be increased further.
The journey to develop an indigenous air-to-air missile system began in 2001, when DRDO began discussions with various stakeholders. The aim was to design and develop a missile system capable of hitting enemy targets beyond visual range. After this, the Defense Research and Development Laboratory (DRDL) in Hyderabad was identified as the nodal lab for this project. A dedicated task force was formed to conduct initial studies and take the project forward.
Source (PTI) (NDTV) (HINDUSTANTIMES)