India, July 12 -- With Indonesia keen to acquire Astra, a 180km-plus range beyond-visual-range (BVR) air-to-air missile developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), the defence ministry has decided to open up the strategic missile sector to private Indian companies. This shift comes as the state-owned manufacturer, Bharat Dynamics Ltd, cannot cater to the growing demands of the armed forces and missile exports to friendly third countries.

The defence ministry will soon float a request for proposal (RFP) inviting private-sector firms and conglomerates, including ICOMM, Adani, Bharat Forge, the Tata group and the Mahindra group, to manufacture the 180-200km range Astra Mark 2 missile, HT has learnt. The successful...