look news india
The dominance of India’s indigenous missile technology in the global defense market is continuously increasing. After the successful export of BrahMos and Akash missile systems, now another deadly missile of India is ready to take the world by storm. South-East Asian country Indonesia has shown great interest in inducting India’s indigenously developed ‘Astra Mk1’ missile into its fighter aircraft fleet. This missile is equipped with ‘Beyond Visual Range Air-to-Air Missile’ (BVRAAM), one of the most dangerous technologies of the modern era, which has the ability to destroy the enemy without being seen.
What is Beyond Visual Range (BVRAAM) technology?
In the language of defense science, Beyond Visual Range simply means ‘far away from the sight’. In traditional air battles, pilots had to aim after seeing the enemy aircraft, but after the introduction of BVRAAM technology, now fighter aircraft can easily destroy enemy fighter jets present at a distance of 37 kilometers to more than 100 kilometers. This technology works on state-of-the-art radar tracking, computer guidance and inertial navigation system, due to which the fired missile changes its path in the air, chases the fleeing enemy aircraft and destroys it.
The terrifying power and features of DRDO’s Astra Mark-1
Astra Mark-1 missile has been developed by India’s top defense research organization DRDO. It is India’s first completely indigenous air-to-air missile. This missile has a range of more than 110 kilometers, and it flies at a supersonic speed of about 4.5 Mach, which is four times the speed of sound. This simply means that the enemy aircraft does not get even a second’s chance to recover or dodge. This missile is fully capable of shooting down enemy super-maneuverable (fast-turning) fighter planes and drones in all weather conditions, day or night.
Why does Indonesia want to buy India’s Astra missile?
The Indonesian Air Force (TNI-AU) currently has the best fighter aircraft like Russia’s Sukhoi and America’s F-16. To make its fleet’s firepower modern and free from Western sanctions, Indonesia was looking for a missile that was both superior and economical. India’s Astra Mark-1 missile technically gives a tough competition to the world’s most expensive missiles such as America’s ‘AMRAAM’ and Europe’s ‘Meteor’, but its price is much lower than them. Indonesia wants to greatly strengthen its strategic position in the geographical equations of the South China Sea by including this missile in its fleet.
Big booster dose for India’s ‘Make in India’ and defense exports
This possible Astra missile deal with Indonesia is being considered a big milestone in the field of India’s defense export. This deal not only reflects the success of India’s ‘Make in India’ and ‘Self-reliant India’ policy, but it also gives a message to the world that India is no longer just a country buying arms but has become a global defense hub selling cutting-edge technology to the world. These strengthening geographical and diplomatic relations between India and Indonesia will determine the new direction of the security system of the Asia-Pacific region in the coming days.