ASTRA India's indigenous BVR Missile

India's first indigenously developed Beyond Visual Range (BVR) Air-to-Air missile 'Astra' was tested successfully recently. The air-launch was captured by side and forward looking high speed cameras.

All-weather weapon :
The indigenously developed missile from the DRDO is an all-weather weapon with active Radar terminal guidance.

Smokeless propulsion :
According to DRDO, the missile boasts of excellent ECCM features, smokeless propulsion and process improved effectiveness in multi-target scenario.

Test fired from a Sukhoi Su-30MKI :
The Astra missile was test fired from a Sukhoi Su-30MKI. The missiles have undergone rigorous testing on Su-30 in the captive mode for avionics integration and seeker evaluation in 2013.

Modified by HAL :
The Su-30MKI aircraft of the IAF was modified by the state-owned Hindustan Aeronautics Limited along with IAF specialists.

Importance of Astra :
The importance of having an indigenous air-to-air BVR missile cannot be over-stated with IAF jets currently armed with very expensive Russian, French and Israeli missiles.

Project has reached the final stage :
The project has reached the final stage of testing and evaluation, and the Mk-II variant of the missile with higher range capability is also planned to be tested by the end of 2014.

Astra test launch :
India's first indigenously developed Beyond Visual Range (BVR) Air-to-Air missile 'Astra' tested successfully.