India’s first air-to-air missile, the Astra, is spearheading the country’s missile-making capabilities. Developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), this beyond-visual-range (BVR) air-to-air missile is capable of engaging aerial targets at distances up to 80km.

Astra Beyond-Visual-Range missile test fired from IAF’s Su-30MKI

While Astra’s preliminary work started in 1990, it has since undergone multiple modifications and rounds of successful test-firings. It is already integrated successfully into the IAF’s Su-30MKIs, Mirage 2000s, and will be integrated into the MiG-29s in the future. The missile retains a high Single Shot Kill Probability (SSKP) making it highly reliable. It comes fitted with a high-explosive pre-fragmented warhead and can reach speeds of up to Mach 4.5.

It is also an all-weather missile with active-radar terminal guidance, electronic counter-counter-measure (ECCM) features, smokeless propulsion, and process improved effectiveness in engaging multiple targets. Its advanced onboard ECCM features can jam radar signals from enemy aircraft, making it extremely difficult to track the missile’s course.