The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and the Indian Air Force (IAF) have successfully conducted flight-tests of the Astra Beyond Visual Range Air-to-Air Missile (BVRAAM) equipped with an indigenous Radio Frequency (RF) seeker. The tests were carried out from a Su-30 Mk-I fighter aircraft over the Bay of Bengal off the coast of Odisha on July 11, 2025.
During the mission, two Astra missiles were launched against high-speed unmanned aerial targets under varying engagement conditions including different ranges, angles, and platform dynamics. In both launches, the Astra missiles achieved direct hits, demonstrating exceptional accuracy and performance.
The highlight of the test was the successful validation of the indigenous RF seeker, developed by DRDO, which functioned flawlessly along with other subsystems. The performance of the missile system was confirmed through flight data captured by the Integrated Test Range (ITR) at Chandipur using advanced tracking instruments.
Astra is India’s first indigenously developed BVRAAM with a range exceeding 100 kilometers. It is equipped with cutting-edge guidance and navigation systems, making it a critical component of the IAF’s air dominance strategy. The missile’s development is a result of collaboration between various DRDO laboratories and over 50 public and private sector industries, including Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL).
Raksha Mantri Rajnath Singh congratulated the teams from DRDO, IAF, and the contributing industries, stating that the successful testing of Astra with an indigenous seeker marks a major breakthrough in India’s defence technology capabilities.
Dr Samir V Kamat, Secretary of the Department of Defence R&D and Chairman of DRDO, also commended the teams involved in the mission, calling the test a testament to India’s growing self-reliance in critical defence technologies.
