Bhubaneswar: In a major boost to India’s air combat capabilities, the Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) successfully test-fired the indigenous ASTRA Beyond Visual Range Air-to-Air Missile (BVRAAM) from the LCA AF MK1 prototype fighter aircraft. The test was conducted off the coast of Chandipur, Odisha, showcasing the missile’s precision and reliability.
The ASTRA missile scored a direct hit on its flying target, with all subsystems performing flawlessly, meeting mission parameters and objectives. Designed and developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), the ASTRA missile has a range of over 100 km and is equipped with advanced guidance and navigation systems, allowing for highly accurate target destruction. The missile has already been inducted into the Indian Air Force (IAF).
This successful test marks a significant milestone in the development and induction of the LCA AF MK1A variant. The achievement is the result of extensive efforts by an integrated team of scientists, engineers, and technicians from ADA, DRDO, Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), with crucial support from CEMILAC, DG-AQA, IAF, and the test range team. Further trials are planned to evaluate the missile’s full operational performance.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh congratulated all teams involved in the successful trial, lauding the technological advancement in India’s defence sector. Dr. Samir V. Kamat, Secretary of the Department of Defence R&D and Chairman of DRDO, also praised the collective efforts of scientists, engineers, and industry partners in making the test a success. The test-firing marks another step forward in India’s mission to strengthen its indigenous defence capabilities.
