Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas successfully test-fired indigenous ASTRA Beyond Visual Range air-to-air missile off the Goa coast on Wednesday. According to the information, the test was conducted using the Tejas Limited Series Production-7 (LSP-7) aircraft. The missile release was successfully carried out from the aircraft at an altitude of about 20,000 ft.
The test launch was monitored by the Test Director and scientists of the Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA), Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) along with officials from the Centre for Military Airworthiness and Certification (CEMILAC) and Directorate General of Aeronautical Quality Assurance (DG-AQA). The aircraft was also monitored by a Chase Tejas twin-seater aircraft.
ASTRA, a state-of-the-art BVR air-to-air missile to engage and destroy highly maneuvering supersonic aerial targets, is designed and developed by Defence Research and Development Laboratory (DRDL), Research Centre Imarat (RCI) and other laboratories of DRDO. The indigenous Astra BVR firing from home grown Tejas fighter is a major step towards ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’.
Meanwhile, Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has complimented ADA, DRDO, CEMILAC, DG-AQA and the industry for the successful firing of the missile from Tejas-LCA. He said the launch would significantly enhance the combat prowess of Tejas and reduce the dependency on imported weapons. Secretary, Department of Defence (R&D) and Chairman DRDO has also congratulated the teams involved in the successful launch.
