Astra Mk 1:
India and Indonesia reached a significant milestone in their growing strategic cooperation by signing a deal for the supply of the Astra Mk 1 missiles.
- Astra Mk 1 is an indigenous Beyond Visual Range Air-to-Air missile (BVRAAM).
- It will be integrated with the Air Force and the Navy.
- It is developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO).
- Features of Astra Mk 1
- Speed and Range: It has a range of 80 to 110 km, an altitude of up to 20 km and a speed of Mach 4.5 (or 4.5 times the speed of sound).
- Astra Mk 2 has an enhanced range of 200 km.
- The key features of this missile include inertial guidance, mid-course update and terminal active radar homing.
- It uses a single-pulse smokeless solid-fuel motor.
- The missile is being integrated with the IAF’s Sukhoi-30 MKI fleet and is also planned to be integrated with the indigenous Light Combat Aircraft Tejas Mk 1 A and the French Rafale jets in future.
