India successfully test-fires ASTRA missile from Tejas LCA AF MK1 prototype fighter jet

The ASTRA missile successfully struck a flying target, demonstrating its precision and effectiveness. All subsystems performed as expected, meeting mission parameters and confirming the missile’s readiness for operational use.

Designed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), ASTRA enables Tejas MK1 and the newer MK1A variant to engage airborne targets at distances exceeding 100 km. The successful test represents another step in the weapon’s integration with the Tejas fighter platform.

ASTRA is set to become a key part of the standard armament for both Tejas and the Su-30MKI fighter aircraft. The missile’s development began in the 1990s, and in May 2022, the Indian government signed a contract with Bharat Dynamics Ltd. for the production of over 350 units.

The Tejas LCA AF MK1A variant, currently under production, features advanced avionics, an Elta Systems EL/M-2052 radar, an electronic warfare system, and an air-to-air refuelling probe. Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) is fulfilling an order for 83 Tejas MK1A aircraft, which will complement the existing Tejas MK1 fleet serving in two Indian Air Force squadrons.

The successful test-firing marks a major milestone in India’s push for indigenous defence capabilities. Further trials are planned to refine performance, ensuring ASTRA’s full integration into the Indian Air Force’s fighter fleet.

Source: Ministry of Defence of India.