Twin tests of Astra missile from Sukhoi 30 successful

BHUBANESWAR: Amid high reliability in India’s homegrown air-defence system during Operation Sindoor, the Indian Air Force (IAF) on Friday successfully conducted twin flight tests of beyond visual range air-to-air missile (BVRAAM) Astra from the frontline fighter aircraft Sukhoi 30 MK-I off Odisha coast.

Equipped with indigenous radio frequency (RF) seeker, which is a critical component of the missile’s guidance system, the indigenously developed missile was test-fired twice against high-speed unmanned aerial targets at different ranges and launch conditions. The missiles destroyed the targets with pin-point accuracy in both the cases, defence sources said.Developed by Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), Astra BVRAAM has a strike range of more than 100 km. Its Mk-II version can destroy targets at 160 km away. “All subsystems performed as per expectations. The tests re-established the accuracy and reliable performance of Astra weapon system with indigenous seeker,” the Ministry of Defence said in a statement.

The 3.8 metre long advanced Astra missile has a launch weight of over 150 kg. The missile has been designed to destroy targets at varying range and altitudes allowing for engagement of both short-range targets and long-range targets using alternative propulsion modes. The on-board electronic counter-measures jam signals fromthe enemy radars making it difficult to track the missile. The missile will be equipped with frontline fighter jets like Sukhoi and Tejas.