The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and the Indian Air Force (IAF) successfully conducted a flight-test of the indigenous Beyond Visual Range Air-to-Air Missile (BVRAAM) ‘Astra’, equipped with an indigenously developed Radio Frequency (RF) Seeker.
The test was conducted from a Su-30 Mk-I fighter aircraft off the coast of Odisha on July 11, 2025.
Two missile launches were carried out during the test against high-speed unmanned aerial targets under varying range, target angles, and platform conditions. In both cases, the Astra missiles destroyed their targets with high precision, validating their performance.
The test marks a significant milestone for indigenous defence capabilities, as the RF seeker – crucial for tracking and engaging enemy targets – was entirely designed and developed by DRDO.
The success of the Astra system was confirmed using data from Range Tracking instruments deployed by the Integrated Test Range in Chandipur.
Astra BVRAAM, with a range of over 100 km, is equipped with advanced guidance and navigation systems. The weapon system is a result of collaboration between various DRDO laboratories and over 50 public and industries, including Hindustan Aeronautics Limited.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh lauded DRDO, IAF, and the industry partners for achieving this milestone in critical defence technology. DRDO Chairman Dr Samir V Kamat also congratulated the teams involved in the test.
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