Bharat Dynamics to supply Astra Mark-1 missiles worth Rs 2,971 crore

With air-to-air missiles costing about Rs 15 crore each, the Astra will provide major business opportunities to Indian firms

The Ministry of Defence (MoD) signed a contract on Tuesday with Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL) for building Astra Mark-1 beyond visual range air-to-air missiles (BVRAAMs) worth Rs 2,971 crore for the Indian Air Force (IAF) and the Navy. 

The Astra Mark-1 missile, which has been developed by the Defence Research & Development Organisation (DRDO), can engage enemy fighter aircraft at ranges of up to 75 kilometres, the MoD told the Lok Sabha on May 6, 2016.

“Till now, the technology to manufacture missile of this class indigenously was not available,” the MoD stated on Tuesday. Developed by the DRDO, it will be