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9 Jul 2026SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY3 questions

Astra Goes Abroad: India's First Air-to-Air Missile Export Marks a Defence-Exporter Turn

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Article summary

India and Indonesia signed an agreement for the export of the Astra Mk 1 beyond-visual-range air-to-air missile (BVRAAM), India's first-ever export of the indigenous Astra system, with a Memorandum of Understanding inked between the state-run Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL) and Indonesia's defence holding company Republikorp in the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Prabowo Subianto. Developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and manufactured by BDL, the Astra Mk 1 has a strike range of about 80-110 km (extendable up to around 160 km under favourable conditions) and a speed of Mach 4.5; it is integrated with the Su-30 MKI, Tejas Mk 1 and Rafale, and will arm Indonesia's Sukhoi fleet. The deal, which gathered momentum during PM Modi's July 2026 Jakarta visit, signals India's transition from a long-standing importer of air-to-air missiles to a credible exporter of a combat-validated weapon. For UPSC, it is a compact case study in defence indigenisation, the arms-export economy and Indo-Pacific strategic signalling.

What this tests

recallTests whether you read the article and retained key facts.
1Q
applicationTests whether you can apply the concept to a new scenario.
1Q
analysisTests whether you can reason across multiple related facts.
1Q

Sample questions — answers revealed after test

SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGYRecallEasy

Q1. With reference to the Astra Mk 1, which one of the following statements is correct?

AIt is a surface-to-air missile developed by the DRDO for point air defence of installations.
BIt is India's indigenous Beyond Visual Range Air-to-Air Missile, developed by the DRDO and manufactured by Bharat Dynamics Limited, with a range of about 80 to 110 km.
CIt is an anti-ship cruise missile jointly developed with Russia and exported to the Philippines.
DIt has a range of about 160 to 200 km, the Mk 2 variant being intended to reduce this in favour of greater manoeuvrability.
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SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGYApplicationMedium

Q2. A Beyond Visual Range Air-to-Air Missile is said to enable 'first-look, first-shot, first-kill' air superiority. Which one of the following best explains that capability?

AThe missile is fired only after visual identification of the target, which reduces the risk of engaging friendly aircraft.
BThe missile's speed of about Mach 4.5 allows it to outrun any defensive missile launched in reply.
CDetection and engagement occur beyond the range at which a pilot can see the target, with active radar homing guiding the missile — so the side that detects first can shoot and destroy before the opponent is able to respond.
DThe missile can be launched without radar, relying entirely on infrared homing, which prevents the target from detecting the launch.
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SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGYAnalysisHard

Q3. Consider the following statements regarding the Astra programme: 1. The Astra Mk 1 is integrated with the Su-30 MKI, Tejas Mk 1 and Rafale. 2. The Mk 2 variant targets a range of roughly 160 to 200 km. 3. The agreement with Indonesia was concluded between the DRDO and Indonesia's Ministry of Defence, and constitutes India's first export of any missile system. Which of the statements given above are correct?

A1 only
B1 and 2 only
C2 and 3 only
D1, 2 and 3
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