In a big boost for make-in-India weapons, Indonesia has become the first foreign customer of the country’s highly-advanced beyond-visual-range air-to-air missile (BVRAAM) ‘Astra’, developed by Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO).Besides an agreement for “cooperation on BrahMos System”, the pact on Astra air-to-air missile in presence of PM Narendra Modi and President Prabowo Subianto in Jakarta is significant for India’s defence manufacturing industry as this missile, unlike Indo-Russian joint venture BrahMos, has been indigenously developed and manufactured without any foreign help.The Astra deal was finalised through an agreement between state-run Bharat Dynamics Ltd and Indonesian defence holding company Republikorp. Astra, which like BrahMoS, equally played a significant role during Operation Sindoor.With a speed of Mach 4.5, the missile can target a hostile aircraft within an engagement range between 80 to 110 km and an extended range of up to 160 km. The missile will be integrated onto the Indonesian Air Force’s fleet of Russian-made Sukhoi fighter jets, specifically the Su-30 and Su-27 platforms.Besides the deal on missiles, PM Modi talked about “extension of MoU and implementation arrangement on maritime safety and security cooperation”. He said the new arrangement will strengthen cooperation between Coast Guards of two countries, improve coordination in maritime domain awareness, search and rescue and capacity building and promote safety and freedom of navigation in the Indo-Pacific”.Another key arrangement between two sides is the agreement on integrated development of Sabang Port, which overlooks the strategically important Strait of Malacca and sits just 90 nautical miles from Indira Point, the southernmost tip of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, which has the country’s tri-service command and where India is also working on a mega Great Nicobar project to enhance its national security, strategic and economic presence. An estimated 75% to 80% of China’s imported crude oil transits through the strait. Developing Sabang port will help India counter China’s expanding naval footprint and port investments across the Indian Ocean. The deep-water access at Sabang will also allow the Indian Navy to easily monitor submarine and surface ship movements entering the Indian Ocean. After the defence pacts, PM Modi posted on X that the cooperation on BrahMos system “demonstrates capability of Indian defence industry, strengthens Atmanirbhar Bharat and boosts indigenous defence capability and promotes innovation, global competitiveness and exports”. He also said the Astra deal “boosts India’s defence exports and make-in-India for the world, strengthens India’s indigenous missile development ecosystem”.
