Indian Air Force successfully flight tests air-to-air Astra missile from Sukhoi-30 MKI

The missile was launched from Su-30 MKI as a part of User trials. "The live aerial target was engaged exactly demonstrating the capability of the first indigenous air-to-air missile," the Ministry of Defense said in a statement.

The statement confirmed that the mission profile was executed in a textbook manner. "Various Radars, Electro Optical Tracking System (EOTS) and Sensors tracked the missile and confirmed its engagement with the target," the Defense statement said.

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Astra is an indigenous Beyond Visual Range Air-to-Air Astra missile with a range of over 70 km. The missile can fly towards its target at a speed of over 5,555 kilometres per hour. It has a 15-kilogramme high-explosive pre-fragmented warhead.

The Astra missile has been developed by Defense Research and Development Organization along with 50 other public and private organizations, involved at various stages of its development. Modifications of the Sukhoi-30 MKI jets to accommodate Astra missiles has been carried out by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL).

Defense Minister Rajnath Singh congratulated DRDO and Air Force teams for the successful test.