On Sunday, Minister of State for Defence Ajay Bhatt inaugurated the departure of domestically developed Astra Missiles for the Indian Air Force from the Bharat Dynamics (BDL) Kanchanbagh Unit in the city. The Astra, a beyond visual range (BVR) air-to-air missile, has been indigenously developed by DRDO and is manufactured by BDL for the IAF, boasting recognition as a world-class weapon system in the Air-to-Air missile category.
With an impressive range exceeding 100 km, the Astra Missile is a significant addition to the Indian Air Force’s arsenal. Minister Bhatt commended BDL for their dedication to producing this indigenous missile, aligning with the Atmanirbhar policy of the Government of India. He also acknowledged BDL’s role in bolstering the country’s defense exports.
BDL’s CMD, Commodore A Madhavarao (Retd), emphasized the company’s commitment to the ‘Make in India’ initiative, emphasizing maximum indigenous content. He revealed that BDL has received inquiries from friendly foreign nations for the Astra Weapon System and has expanded its manufacturing capabilities to meet both domestic and international demands concurrently.
In addition to the missile flag-off, Minister Bhatt toured the DRDO’s Dr APJ Abdul Kalam Missile Complex and Research Centre Imarat in the city. During the visit, he assessed ongoing missile technologies and related programs.
The event is a significant milestone for BDL, positioning the company among a select few globally capable of manufacturing air-to-air missiles.