Air to Air Missile 'ASTRA' testfired from ITR

Balasore (Orissa), Mar 25: India today successfully testfired air-to-air short range missile 'ASTRA' from the Integrated Test Range(ITR) at Chandipur-on-sea, about 15 kms from here.

According to ITR sources, the guided missile, having a striking range between 25 to 40 kms, was testfired at 1156 hours from the launch complex of the ITR using a booster engine.

Developed indigenously by the Defence Research Development Organisation(DRDO), the missile, ITR sources said met the mission successfully.

The Astra missile had been developed keeping in view the three pronged defence system for metropolitan cities, particularly after the September 11 Pentagon incident.

Powered by solid propellant '' Astra'' has put the country at a top position, after Russia and NATO, to develop such a sophisticated missile.

UNI