What Does Bharat Dynamics Make? India's Guided Missile Supply Chain

Bharat Dynamics builds the Akash and Astra missiles that arm India's military. Here's who buys them, and which Indian defense suppliers provide the propellants, alloys, and guidance electronics behind them.

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Aug 9, 2026 · 2 min read

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India's push for defense self-reliance runs through a small cluster of state and private manufacturers, and Bharat Dynamics sits near the center of it. The company builds the Akash surface-to-air missile, the Astra air-to-air missile, and anti-tank guided weapons, using a domestic supply chain for explosives, superalloys and precision electronics.

The short answer

Bharat Dynamics' supply chain is almost entirely Indian:

• Who buys it: the Indian Armed Forces and Indian Air Force are the primary customers for BDL's surface-to-air, air-to-air, and anti-tank missiles.
• What goes into a missile: Solar Industries India supplies explosives and propellants; Mishra Dhatu Nigam supplies the superalloys and special steels used in missile bodies.
• What guides it: Bharat Electronics, Astra Microwave Products, and Paras Defence supply the seeker electronics, RF guidance, and precision optics.

The full interactive map is on Bharat Dynamics's supply chain page.

Who buys BDL's missiles

The Indian Armed Forces are BDL's core customer, buying surface-to-air, air-to-air, and anti-tank missiles for deployment across the army and navy. The Indian Air Force specifically relies on BDL's Astra air-to-air missile and Akash air-defense system, two of the company's flagship programs.

What is a missile made of?

A guided missile needs specialized materials. Solar Industries India supplies the explosives, propellants, and indigenous munitions that power the missile. Mishra Dhatu Nigam, a specialty metals producer, supplies the superalloys and special steels used in missile bodies and structural components, materials that have to survive extreme heat and stress during flight.

What guides it to the target

A missile without guidance electronics is just a rocket. Bharat Electronics supplies the seeker electronics and guidance and control systems that steer BDL's missiles toward their targets. Astra Microwave Products contributes the RF seeker and radar subsystems used in guidance, and Paras Defence supplies the electro-optic seekers and precision optics that some BDL missiles use for targeting.

See it for yourself

The full breakdown, with live tickers for every listed company involved, is on Bharat Dynamics's supply chain map.