India's Astra Mark 1 Missile: A Leap in Indigenous Air-to-Air Defense
| Topic | Details |
|---|---|
| Event | Indian Air Force (IAF) clears production of Astra Mark 1 missiles |
| Entities Involved | Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL), Indian Air Force (IAF) |
| Approval Given By | Deputy Chief Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit |
| Number of Missiles Approved | 200 |
| Aircraft Compatibility | Su-30 and LCA Tejas fighter aircraft |
| Missile Name | Astra Mark 1 |
| Developed By | DRDO |
| Key Features | Advanced guidance systems (active radar seeker, infrared homing), multi-platform capability, all-weather operation, indigenous development |
| Current Range | Up to 100 kilometers |
| Future Upgrades | Astra Mark 2 under development with a target range of 130 kilometers |
| First Test of Astra Mark 2 | Scheduled in upcoming months |
| Production Target for 2022-23 | 248 missiles for IAF and Indian Navy |
| Project Initiation | 2001 |
| Nodal Lab | Defence Research and Development Laboratory (DRDL), Hyderabad |