According to Manufacturing Today, Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL) has signed a contract with European multinational arms manufacturer MBDA for setting up a final assembly, integration and test facility in India for the Advanced Short Range Air-to-Air Missiles (ASRAAM). The new facility is expected to start its operations by 2022-23 and will also have the capability to conduct periodic maintenance, repair, and overhaul operations.

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DRDO’s Next-Generation Close Combat Missile (NGCCM) is expected to replace the Russian-made R-73 missile on the existing fourth and 4.5 generation aircraft in service with the IAF.  (Picture source: Wikipedia)

According to Tushar M, Defence Analyst at GlobalData echoed by Manufacturing Today, with BDL having no prior experience in the production of short-range air-to-air missiles, the partnership with MBDA will be crucial for developing indigenous R&D and manufacturing ecosystem in the missile domain. The partnerships between Indian companies and global OEMs will play a pivotal role in achieving self-reliance and incremental enhancement of defence equipment manufacturing capability.

The technological know-how and manufacturing knowledge obtained from the ASRAAM project is anticipated to benefit DRDO’s Next-Generation Close Combat Missile (NGCCM) project. Under the NGCCM project, DRDO intends to develop an advanced short-range infrared homing missile for the fifth-generation aircraft. The NGCCM is expected to replace the R-73 missile on the existing fourth and 4.5 generation aircraft in service with the IAF. The ASRAAMs will complement the aging Russian R-73 missiles in service with the IAF. Owing to its high countermeasures’ resistance and 90-degree off-boresight targeting & Lock-On After Launch (LOAL) capability, ASRAAM is expected to offer superior performance to the R-73 missile.