At least six other countries, including Armenia, Saudi Arabia, Vietnam, Malaysia, and Indonesia, have expressed interest in procuring India's indigenously developed beyond-visual-range (BVR) air-to-air missile, the Astra.
During the recent visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Indonesia, the two countries agreed on the sale of BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles and Astra air-to-air missiles. While the quantity and value of the Astra deal between India and Indonesia are yet to be finalised, media reports have emerged that another country has expressed interest in procuring the missile.
The Astra is an indigenously developed beyond-visual-range (BVR) air-to-air missile system comprising the Astra missile and its launcher. It has a strike range of 80-110 km and can engage targets at altitudes of up to 20 km. The missile is 3,840 mm long with a diameter of 178 mm, has a flight duration of 100-120 seconds, and is powered by a solid rocket motor, enabling it to reach a maximum speed of Mach 4.5.
According to a report by BusinessLine, Armenia, which has emerged as one of the major foreign buyers of Indian defence platforms, is at an advanced stage of talks with New Delhi to procure Astra missiles.
The report, citing sources, said Armenia, which has already acquired Pinaka rocket systems, ATAGS artillery systems, and Swathi radar systems, among others, from India, has entered advanced talks with India to integrate the Astra BVR air-to-air missile onto its Su-30SM fighter jets.
The report further said that Saudi Arabia has also expressed interest in procuring the missile, and negotiations on integrating the weapon onto Saudi Arabia's F-15S, F-15SA, and Eurofighter Typhoon aircraft are underway, according to sources.
Sources quoted by BusinessLine pointed out that one of the key factors making the Astra missile attractive to international customers is the fact that it is at least 70 per cent cheaper than its global alternatives.
