Successful Trial Of BVRAAM Astra Paves Way For Its Induction Into Indian Air Force

The indigenously developed beyond visual range air-to-air missile (BVRAAM) – Astra – underwent a series of successful trials for four days over the Bay of Bengal, marking the completion of its development phase.

“The final development flight trials of Astra BVRAAM were successfully conducted over the Bay of Bengal, off the coast of Chandipur in Odisha during September 11-14. A total of seven trials were conducted against pilotless target aircraft successfully,” the Defence Ministry said in a statement yesterday (15 September).

The successful trial of the BVRAAM paves the way for its induction into the Indian Air Force (IAF).

The missile system has been developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) in cooperation with the IAF.

A number of defence public sector undertakings and more than 50 public and private industries have contributed in developing the weapon system.

The Defence Ministry said the successful trials marked the completion of the development phase of the weapon system “successfully”.

DRDO’s Missiles and Strategic Systems director general G Satheesh Reddy said the technologies developed under the programme will be the building blocks for development of more variants of air-to-air and surface-to-air missiles.

The ministry said the flight trials included multiple launches of the missile to engage multiple targets including at “very long” and medium ranges.

Two missiles were also launched in the combat configuration with warhead.

After the induction of Astra, India will become only the sixth country in the world to have this capability.

(PTI)