India’s ASTRA BVRAAM Demonstrates Lethal Precision in Latest Test

(DEFENCE SECURITY ASIA) – In a significant stride towards self-reliance in advanced defence technology, India has successfully conducted a test launch of its domestically developed ASTRA Beyond Visual Range Air-to-Air Missile (BVRAAM) from the Tejas LCA AF MK1 light combat aircraft.

The indigenous missile, designed to engage aerial threats at extended distances, is positioned as a superior alternative to Russia’s R-77 (RVV-AE), which currently serves as the primary air-to-air missile for India’s Sukhoi Su-30MKI fleet.

This latest test, conducted on March 12, 2025, at a test range off the coast of Chandipur, Odisha, represents a critical milestone in the ASTRA BVRAAM’s operational integration into India’s frontline fighter platforms.

The successful launch marks a major advancement in India’s indigenous missile capabilities, solidifying the country’s status as a key player in the global defence and aerospace sector.

“This successful trial represents a critical step in refining the missile’s integration with the Tejas LCA AF MK1A variant. Additional tests have been planned to further evaluate its performance,” the Indian Ministry of Defence (MoD) said in a statement.

During the live-fire trial, the missile successfully intercepted and destroyed an aerial target, demonstrating exceptional accuracy, reliability, and mission-readiness.

All subsystems performed flawlessly, meeting stringent operational benchmarks and reinforcing the missile’s viability for full-scale deployment in combat scenarios.

Developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), the ASTRA BVRAAM is a game-changer for India’s air superiority doctrine, providing the Tejas MK1 and its advanced MK1A variant with beyond visual range (BVR) strike capabilities exceeding 100 km.

The ASTRA programme is a vital component of India’s broader push for self-sufficiency in defence manufacturing, aligning with the government’s ‘Make in India’ initiative to reduce reliance on foreign weapon systems.

The missile is also being integrated into India’s Su-30MKI fighters, which form the backbone of the Indian Air Force (IAF), as well as the Indian Navy’s MiG-29K fleet, ensuring that India’s indigenous air combat capability remains cutting-edge.

The ASTRA programme’s strategic significance extends beyond national defence, with India positioning itself as a global supplier of high-performance air-to-air missile systems.

ASTRA BVRAAM is engineered with cutting-edge guidance and navigation technology, significantly enhancing its lethality in complex air combat environments.

The ASTRA BVRAAM measures 3.8 meters in length with a launch weight of 154 kg, powered by a solid-fuel rocket motor for high-speed interception.

It carries a 15 kg high-explosive warhead, activated by a proximity fuse, and utilizes inertial navigation, mid-course updates, and terminal active radar homing to ensure pinpoint accuracy against fast-moving aerial threats.

The missile’s advanced onboard radar seekers and electronic counter-countermeasures (ECCM) systems allow it to defeat enemy jamming and deception techniques, ensuring superior combat effectiveness.

The ASTRA BVRAAM is evolving into a multi-tiered missile family, with each variant designed to expand India’s operational range and combat versatility:

• ASTRA Mk-1 – In service, with a range exceeding 110 km.

• ASTRA Mk-2 – Undergoing trials, with an extended range of 160 km.

• ASTRA Mk-3 – In development, targeting an impressive range of 350 km, placing it among the world’s most advanced long-range air-to-air missiles.

With the Mk-3 variant, India aims to bridge the capability gap with Western and Chinese BVR missile systems, such as the MBDA Meteor and the PL-15.

The Tejas LCA AF MK1A, currently in mass production, represents a significant upgrade over its predecessor, integrating state-of-the-art avionics and combat systems, including:

The Tejas LCA AF MK1A is equipped with the Elta Systems EL/M-2052 AESA radar, an electronic warfare (EW) suite for enhanced survivability, and an air-to-air refueling probe to extend combat range and mission endurance.

Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) is actively producing 83 units of the Tejas MK1A, which will supplement the IAF’s current Tejas MK1 squadrons, ensuring that India fields a credible, homegrown fighter fleet capable of engaging modern aerial threats.

Beyond its domestic deployment, India is aggressively marketing the ASTRA BVRAAM to international customers, particularly operators of the Su-30 fighter platform.

Given that ASTRA has already been successfully integrated and tested on the Su-30MKI, it presents a compelling alternative for countries seeking an advanced, cost-effective BVR missile solution.

Potential customers include nations in Southeast Asia and beyond, particularly:

• Malaysia

• Indonesia

• Vietnam

• Myanmar

All of these nations operate Sukhoi Su-30 variants, making them ideal candidates for ASTRA’s export strategy.

Furthermore, India is also engaging with Middle Eastern and African air forces, who are seeking modern air-to-air weaponry to equip their legacy and next-generation fighter fleets.

As India expands its footprint in the global defence market, the ASTRA BVRAAM programme symbolizes New Delhi’s emergence as a credible, high-tech weapons exporter.

By offering a cost-competitive, high-performance alternative to Western and Russian missile systems, India is strategically positioning itself alongside global leaders in air-to-air combat technology.

With continued investment in indigenous research, development, and production, India is poised to reshape the global air warfare landscape, setting new benchmarks in missile innovation, operational efficiency, and export viability.

The successful ASTRA BVRAAM test is more than just a technical achievement—it is a clear signal that India’s air combat capabilities are entering a new era of dominance.

— DEFENCE SECURITY ASIA