♦ The Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) successfully conducted the test launch of India’s homegrown Astra, a Beyond Visual Range Air-to-Air Missile (BVRAAM), from the Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) AF MK1 prototype on 12 March 2025.

♦ The test was carried out off the coast of Chandipur, Odisha.

♦ The launch proved to be a great success, with the Astra missile making a direct hit on a flying target, showcasing its accuracy and effectiveness.

♦ All subsystems of the missile performed optimally, meeting all mission parameters and objectives, demonstrating the missile’s advanced capabilities.

♦ Developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), the Astra missile is designed to engage targets over 100 kilometers away.

♦ Its advanced guidance and navigation systems enable it to destroy targets with exceptional precision.

♦ The missile has already been inducted into the Indian Air Force (IAF), further enhancing India’s air defense capabilities.

♦ This successful test-firing marks a significant milestone toward the induction of the LCA AF MK1A variant, bringing India closer to achieving its goal of strengthening its indigenous defense systems.