**Summary:**
On July 11, 2025, the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and the Indian Air Force (IAF) successfully conducted flight tests of the indigenous Astra Beyond Visual Range Air-to-Air Missile (BVRAAM) from a Su-30 MkI platform off the coast of Odisha. The Astra missile is equipped with an indigenously developed Radio Frequency (RF) seeker. Two launches were carried out against high-speed unmanned aerial targets at varying ranges, target aspects, and launch platform conditions. The missile demonstrated pinpoint accuracy in destroying both targets. Flight data confirmed that all subsystems, including the RF seeker, performed as expected. The Astra BVRAAM, with a range exceeding 100 kilometers, features a state-of-the-art guidance and navigation system. Over 50 public and private industries, including Hindustan Aeronautics Limited, contributed to the weapon system's realization, alongside various DRDO laboratories. The successful testing has been lauded as a major milestone in critical defence technology by Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh. Secretary, Department of Defence R&D and Chairman, DRDO Dr. Samir V Kamat, also congratulated the teams involved.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Defence: The Indian government ministry responsible for defence.
Defence Research Development Organisation DRDO: An agency under the Department of Defence Research and Development in the Ministry of Defence of the Government of India.
Indian Air Force IAF: The air arm of the Indian Armed Forces.
Astra Beyond Visual Range AirtoAir missile: An Indian all weather beyond-visual-range active radar homing air-to-air missile.
Su30 Mk I: A twin-engine, two-seat supermaneuverable fighter aircraft developed by Russia's Sukhoi Aviation Corporation.
Odisha: A state on the eastern coast of India.
Integrated Test Range, Chandipur: A missile testing facility located in Chandipur, Odisha, India.
Hindustan Aeronautics Limited: An Indian state-owned aerospace and defence company.
Ministry of Defence
DRDO & IAF conduct successful flight-test of Astra
Beyond Visual Range Air-to-Air missile with
indigenous Radio Frequency Seeker from Su-30 Mk-
I
Posted On: 11 JUL 2025 7:53PM by PIB Delhi
Defence Research & Development Organisation (DRDO) & Indian Air Force (IAF) successfully conducted
the flight-test of indigenous Beyond Visual Range Air-to-Air missile (BVRAAM) ‘Astra’ equipped with
indigenous Radio Frequency (RF) Seeker from Su-30 Mk-I platform off the coast of Odisha on July 11, 2025.
During the tests, two launches were carried out against high-speed unmanned aerial targets at different ranges,
target aspects and launch platform conditions. In both the cases, the missiles destroyed the targets with pin-
point accuracy.
During the tests, all subsystems performed as per expectations including the RF seeker which has been
indigenously designed & developed by DRDO. The flawless performance of the Astra weapon system was
validated through flight data captured by Range Tracking instruments deployed by Integrated Test Range,
Chandipur. These successful flight tests have re-established the accuracy and reliable performance of Astra
weapon system with indigenous seeker.
Astra BVRAAM has a range exceeding 100 kms and is equipped with state-of-the art guidance and navigation
system. In addition to various laboratories of DRDO, more than 50 public and private industries including
Hindustan Aeronautics Limited have contributed towards successful realisation of the weapon system.
Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh complimented DRDO, IAF and industry involved in the design and
development of RF seeker and stated that the successful testing of the missile with indigenous seeker is a
major milestone in critical defence technology.
Secretary, Department of Defence R&D and Chairman, DRDO Dr Samir V Kamat congratulated all the teams
involved during the successful flight-test.
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SR/Savvy
(Release ID: 2144118)