Air-to-air missile ASTRA testfired from ITR

Balasore, Orissa, Mar 29: For the third time during the week, India today successfully testfired air-to-air short range missile 'Astra' from the Integrated Test Range at Chandipur-on-sea, about 15 kms from here.

According to ITR sources, the guided missile, having a striking range between 25 and 40 kms, was testfired at 1133 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 missile was first testfired on March 25 from the ITR and again the next day.

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 the top position after Russia and NATO to have developed such a sophisticated missile.

UNI