Centre to open missile manufacturing to private firms, boost defence sector
New Delhi: In good news for India’s defence sector, the Centre is looking to open the strategic missile sector to private Indian companies. The Centre will soon release a Request for proposal (RFP), inviting private firms to manufacture the 180- 200 km range Astra Mark 2 missile.
According to a report published in Hindustan Times, the development has come at a time when Indonesia is keen to buy Astra, an 180 km-plus range beyond-visual-range (BVR) air-to-air missile, which has been developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO).
Missile counters long-range PL-15 E air-to-air missile
It is important to note here that the missile counters the long-range PL-15 E air-to-air missile that was provided by China to Pakistan during the Operation Sindoor last year. The authorities will integrate the Astra Mark 2 with Tejas Mark 1-A, MiG-29, Su-30 MKI, and Rafale Marine fighters.
The centre will offer 500km-range Pralay tactical ballistic missile to the private sector for both development and manufacturing purposes. Pralay can fly at six times the speed of sound. It is a part of an integrated rocket system. The system includes Long-Range Land-Attack Cruise Missile (LRLACM), the next-generation BrahMos, and the extended-range Pinaka multi-barrel rocket launching system. These can target enemies at a distance of 300km.
India, Israel are working on a long-range surface-to-air missile
Notably, while the Centre is looking to build up missile and rocket arsenal to dissuade enemies, currently the focus is on both offensive and defensive anti-ballistic missiles. Because of this, both India and Israel are working on a long-range surface-to-air missile to protect warships
Even as Russia will send its fifth S-400 air defence system in November this year, the Centre is looking to approve five more S-400 systems from Moscow. The step aims to make Indian skies secure from enemy missiles.
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