The Indian Air Force (IAF) has given clearance to the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and the Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL) to produce 200 Astra air-to-air missiles for its Su-3O and LCA Tejas fighter aircraft.

• The clearance was given to the DRDO and public sector firm BDL, during a recent visit by Indian Air Force Deputy Chief Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit to Hyderabad.
• While DRDO is the development agency for the project, BDL is the production agency for it.
• The programme was cleared by the Defence Acquisition Council for the IAF and Indian Navy, under which 248 missiles were expected to be produced for both services in 2022-23.