India Tests Indigenously Developed 'Astra’ BVR Missile

Balasore (Orissa), July 6 For the first time, India today conducted the night trial of its indigenously developed beyond visual range (BVR) air-to-air missile ‘Astra’ in inclement weather. Defence sources said the sophisticated missile was test-fired from a launcher in launch pad number two of the Integrated Test Range complex at Chandipur, about 15km from here, at about 8.15 pm.

The single stage, solid fuelled ‘Astra’ missile was more advanced in its category than the contemporary BVR missiles and was capable of engaging and destroying highly manoeuvrable supersonic aerial targets, Defence Research Development Organisation sources said.

The 3.8m long missile, which has a diametre of 178mm, can carry a warhead containing explosives weighing 15 kg and can be fitted to any fighter aircraft. It was intended to be eventually integrated with IAF’s Sukhoi-30 MKI, MiG-29, Mirage-2000, Jaguar and the Tejas Light Combat Aircraft, the sources said. — PTI

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