India’s Astra missile completes testing

After 15 years’ development India’s indigenous Astra active radarhoming beyond visual range airto- air missile has completed trials and will soon be ready to enter service.

The final round of trials was completed successfully over the Bay of Bengal by a Su-30MKI in September. Seven rounds were fired against pilotless target aircraft at very long ranges at varying altitudes. Astra was also successfully fired at manoeuvring targets at medium range and multiple launches of the missile were carried out in salvo mode to engage multiple targets. The Astra is comparable to Russia’s R-77RVV-AE (AA-12 Adder) and the French Matra Super 530D and is expected to be deployed on Indian Air Force Sukhoi 30MKIs and Mirage 2000Is. The Astra missile was developed by India’s Defence Research and Development Organisation.