Indonesia Becomes First Foreign Buyer of India's ASTRA Mk-1 Air-to-Air Missile
IndonesiaIndonesia has become the first international customer for India's indigenous ASTRA Mk-1 Beyond Visual Range (BVR) Air-to-Air Missile, marking a major milestone for India's defence exports and strengthening strategic ties between New Delhi and Jakarta.
The agreement was signed during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Indonesia as part of a broader defence cooperation package that also includes collaboration on the BrahMos missile system and maritime security.
Developed by DRDO and manufactured by Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL), the ASTRA Mk-1 is India's first indigenous BVR air-to-air missile. Equipped with an active radar seeker, inertial navigation, datalink guidance, and advanced electronic counter-countermeasure capabilities, the missile significantly enhances beyond-visual-range engagement capability for modern fighter aircraft.
Indonesia plans to integrate the missile with its Sukhoi Su-27 and Su-30 fighter fleet, subject to the necessary certification and integration process. The agreement represents the first international export of the ASTRA missile and reinforces India's growing position as a reliable supplier of advanced defence technologies.
Beyond the missile deal, India and Indonesia also expanded cooperation in maritime security, defence manufacturing, and Indo-Pacific strategic collaboration. The export of ASTRA Mk-1 reflects the increasing global acceptance of India's indigenous defence systems and supports the Government's Aatmanirbhar Bharat vision of building a globally competitive defence manufacturing ecosystem.
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