Why in news?
The Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) of the Ministry of Defence successfully test fired the indigenous Astra missile from Tejas Light Combat Aircraft Air Force Mark-1 prototype fighter aircraft.

About Astra Missile
- What is it: Beyond Visual Range (BVR) air-to-air missile
- Beyond Visual Range (BVR) missiles are those which are capable of striking beyond a range of 20 nautical miles or 37 km.
- Test site: Off Chandipur coast of Odisha
- Development and design: Designed and developed by Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO)
- Range: 100 km. Capable of hitting targets at a distance of more than
- Key Features: Equipped with advanced guidance and navigation capabilities, capable of hitting targets with greater accuracy
- It is being integrated with the indigenous LCA Tejas of the Indian Air Force (IAF) and the MiG-29 of the Indian Navy in a phased manner.
- Organizations involved:
- Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA)
- Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL)
- Centre for Military Airworthiness and Certification (CEMILAC)
- Directorate General of Aeronautical Quality Assurance (DG-AQA)
- Indian Air Force (IAF)