Astra MK-I Air-to-Air Missile: Features, strategic significance

Astra MK-I Air-to-Air Missile: Features, strategic significance

The Ministry of Defence has signed a contract for supply of the indigenously built missile. A look at the history of its development, and its capabilities.

The Ministry of Defence said on Tuesday (May 31) that it has signed a contract with the Hyderabad-based public-sector Bharat Dynamics Ltd (BDL) for supply of the Astra Mark-1, at a cost of Rs 2,971 crore, for deployment on fighter jets of the Indian Air Force and Indian Navy. The Astra Mk-1 is a beyond visual range (BVR), air-to-air missile (AAM).