Astra BVR missile with indigenous RF seeker successfully flight-tested from Su-30 Mk-I
On 11 July 2025 off the coast of Odisha, DRDO and the IAF successfully flight-tested the Astra beyond-visual-range air-to-air missile fitted with an indigenous radio frequency seeker from a Su-30 Mk-I.
Summary
The Defence Research & Development Organisation (DRDO) and the Indian Air Force (IAF) successfully flight-tested the indigenous Beyond Visual Range Air-to-Air Missile (BVRAAM) 'Astra', fitted with a DRDO-designed Radio Frequency (RF) seeker, from a Su-30 Mk-I platform off the coast of Odisha on 11 July 2025. Two launches were carried out against high-speed unmanned aerial targets at different ranges and conditions, and in both cases the missiles destroyed the targets with pin-point accuracy, as validated by range tracking instruments of the Integrated Test Range, Chandipur. Astra has a range exceeding 100 km, and more than 50 public and private industries, including HAL, contributed to it. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh called the test with an indigenous seeker a major milestone in critical defence technology.
Key facts
- Date/place
- 11 July 2025, off the Odisha coast
- Platform
- Su-30 Mk-I
- New element
- Indigenous RF seeker designed and developed by DRDO
- Launches
- Two, against high-speed unmanned aerial targets; both destroyed
- Range
- Exceeding 100 km
- Tracking
- Integrated Test Range, Chandipur
- Industry
- 50+ public and private firms, including HAL
Practice MCQs 4 questions
From which aircraft was the Astra BVRAAM with an indigenous RF seeker flight-tested on 11 July 2025?
Show answer
Correct answer: B — Su-30 Mk-I
MoD: DRDO and IAF flight-tested Astra with indigenous RF seeker from the Su-30 Mk-I platform off the coast of Odisha.
What was the key indigenous component validated in the Astra flight-tests of 11 July 2025?
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Correct answer: D — Radio Frequency (RF) seeker
MoD: the tests validated Astra equipped with an indigenous Radio Frequency (RF) Seeker designed and developed by DRDO.
What is the range of the Astra BVRAAM, as stated by the Ministry of Defence in July 2025?
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Correct answer: C — Exceeding 100 km
MoD: Astra BVRAAM has a range exceeding 100 km.
The flight data of the Astra tests on 11 July 2025 was captured by range tracking instruments of which facility?
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Correct answer: A — Integrated Test Range, Chandipur
MoD: the performance was validated through flight data captured by range tracking instruments deployed by the Integrated Test Range (ITR), Chandipur, Odisha.