Astra Missile (Space & Defence Sectors)
Astra Missile (Space & Defence Sectors)
Why In News:
Indonesia has confirmed its decision to procure India's indigenous Astra beyond-visual-range air-to-air missile (BVRAAM), making it the first export customer for the system.
Source: The Indian Express, Page 9, 9 July 2026 - 'The significance of Astra missiles, which Indonesia will purchase'
About the Astra Missile
Developed indigenously by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and manufactured by Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL), Astra is India's first indigenous BVRAAM.
Astra Mk-1 has a range of roughly 80-110 km, can engage targets at altitudes up to 20 km, and reaches speeds of about Mach 4.5.
It uses a solid rocket motor, with inertial guidance + mid-course updates and active radar homing for high accuracy; equipped with ECCM to resist jamming.
Integrated with Su-30 MKI and LCA Tejas, with planned deployment on Tejas Mk1A, Rafale, and MiG-29, enhancing multi-platform capability.
Astra Mk-2 (under development) features a dual-pulse rocket motor and an extended strike range of ~160–240 km.
Broader Defence Cooperation with Indonesia
The Astra deal comes alongside ongoing BrahMos missile supplies, building on earlier exports to the Philippines (its first buyer in 2022) and Vietnam.
The two countries also agreed on cooperation in critical minerals and joint development of Sabang Port, near the northern approach to the Strait of Malacca.
Key Facts for Prelims
BVR (Beyond Visual Range) missiles allow aircraft to engage targets without visual contact, extending the engagement envelope beyond close combat range.
BrahMos: It is an Indo-Russian supersonic cruise missile with a range of ~290 km and a top speed of Mach 2.8, making it among the fastest in its class.
Named after the Brahmaputra (India) and Moskva (Russia) rivers, it uses a two-stage propulsion system: solid rocket booster + liquid ramjet.
It is a multi-platform missile (land, air, sea) with high precision, capable of all-weather, day-night operations.
Operates on the “fire and forget” principle, requiring no post-launch