Bhubaneswar: India achieved a significant milestone in indigenous defense capabilities with the successful test-firing of the homegrown Astra air-to-air missile from the indigenously developed Tejas Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) off the coast of Chandipur, Odisha, on March 12. The test was conducted by the Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) in collaboration with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), and the Indian Air Force (IAF).
According to the Ministry of Defence, the Astra missile hit an airborne target, showcasing its precision-strike capabilities. All onboard systems, including radar tracking, fire-control mechanisms, and electronic warfare countermeasures, functioned flawlessly, meeting all mission parameters and objectives. Officials stated that this successful launch is a crucial step toward integrating the Astra missile into the upcoming LCA AF MK1A variant, which is set to bolster the IAF’s combat readiness.
About The Astra Missile
Developed by DRDO, the Astra missile is an advanced beyond-visual-range (BVR) air-to-air missile with a strike capability of over 100 kilometers. It is equipped with cutting-edge guidance and navigation systems, including an active radar seeker, high-agility solid rocket propulsion, and electronic counter-countermeasure (ECCM) capabilities. This allows it to engage and neutralize enemy aircraft with high accuracy. The missile has already been inducted into the Indian Air Force, where it enhances the air superiority of fighter platforms such as the Sukhoi Su-30MKI.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh congratulated the teams involved in the successful trial, including DRDO, IAF, ADA, HAL, and the private sector partners contributing to India’s defense self-reliance. Secretary of the Department of Defence R&D and DRDO Chairman Samir V. Kamat also praised the coordinated efforts of scientists, engineers, and technicians from multiple organizations and industries, emphasizing that this achievement underscores India's growing expertise in indigenous missile technology and aerial warfare systems.
This successful test strengthens India’s push for Atmanirbhar Bharat (self-reliant India) in defense manufacturing and marks another step forward in the modernization of the IAF’s fleet with cutting-edge indigenous weaponry.
