In a momentous event today, Hon’ble Raksha Rajya Mantri Shri Ajay Bhatt flagged off the indigenously developed Astra Missiles at Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL), Kanchanbagh Unit, Hyderabad. The ceremony, attended by key dignitaries, marks a significant milestone for both BDL and India’s defense capabilities.
Indigenous Marvel: Astra Missile Ready for Deployment
Astra, a Beyond Visual Range Air-to-Air Missile, developed by DRDO and manufactured by BDL, now stands ready for deployment with the Indian Air Force. The missile, boasting a range exceeding 100 km, solidifies India’s position among the world’s leaders in the Air-to-Air missile category.
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BDL’s Global Recognition: A Boost for ‘Make in India’ Initiative
The flag-off ceremony not only underscores BDL’s achievement but also places the company among the select few globally capable of manufacturing cutting-edge Air-to-Air missiles. Commodore A. Madhavarao, CMD, BDL, highlighted the company’s focus on ‘Make in India’ with maximum indigenous content and revealed growing interest from friendly foreign nations for the Astra Weapon System.
Government’s Atmanirbhar Policy Applauded
Hon’ble Raksha Rajya Mantri congratulated BDL for its dedication to realizing the production of the indigenously developed missile, aligning with the Government of India’s Atmanirbhar policy. He lauded BDL’s contribution to enhancing defense exports, reinforcing India’s self-reliance in defense capabilities.
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Bharat Dynamics Limited’s Augmented Manufacturing Capability
Commodore A. Madhavarao emphasized that BDL has enhanced its manufacturing capability to meet both domestic and international demands for Astra missiles concurrently. He shared that the recent successful test firing of Akash NG missile by DRDO, including the state-of-the-art Radio Frequency Seeker, showcased BDL’s prowess.
India’s Milestone Achievement in Air Defense
With the recent test firing of Akash by the Indian Air Force, India became the first country to demonstrate the engagement capability of four aerial targets simultaneously at 25 km ranges using single firing units. CMD, BDL, proudly announced that these missiles were manufactured at BDL’s Kanchanbagh facility.
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Exploring BDL’s Manufacturing Capabilities
Hon’ble Raksha Rajya Mantri took the opportunity to visit various manufacturing facilities at BDL’s Kanchanbagh Unit, gaining insights into the company’s advanced manufacturing capabilities. The visit included briefings by CMD, Commodore A. Madhavarao, on the technological prowess of BDL.
Key Figures Acknowledged at the Event
Shri N Srinivasulu, Director (Finance), Shri PV Rajaram, Director (Production), Dr Upender Vennam, Chief Vigilance Officer, and other senior officials from BDL actively participated in this momentous event, further highlighting the collaborative efforts fueling India’s stride towards self-sufficiency in defense production.
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