DRDO, IAF successfully test indigenous Astra Missile with Radio Frequency Seeker from Su-30 MKI

The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and the 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 Friday (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, a Defence Ministry statement said. In both the cases, the missiles destroyed the targets with pin-point accuracy.

All subsystems performed as per expectations including the RF seeker which has been indigenously designed and developed by the DRDO, the Ministry added.

It further said that the flawless performance of the Astra weapon system was validated through flight data captured by range tracking instruments deployed by the Integrated Test Range, Chandipur.

“Astra BVRAAM has a range exceeding 100 kms and is equipped with state-of-the art guidance and navigation system,” said the statement.

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. 

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh complimented the DRDO, the IAF and industry involved in the design and development of the 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 Samir V. Kamat congratulated all the teams involved in the successful flight-test.