the efficacy of vertical launch system and missile's maximum and minimum range. Both the missile successfully intercepted their target with pin point accuracy. VL-SRSAM supersedes the cancelled Maitri missile project undertaken jointly by MBDA and DRDO based on the work done on MICA and Trishul. The missile will arm Indian Navy ships like Kamorta-class corvette with short range air defense system. The missile uses jet vane based thrust vectoring control to give high maneuverability to the missile. The missile maybe guided by Revathi radar which is extensively being used in Indian Navy ship like Kamorta-class corvette. Indian Air Force may also sport VL-SRSAM in truck-based launcher to supplement its Akash surface-to-air missile as a quick reaction system similar to Norwegian/American NASAM 2. Trials Astra Mk-1 went through a series of ground tests from 2003 till 2012 in three different configurations to validate the airframe, propulsion system, control system, dual mode guidance and night firing capability. Carriage trials were carried out in 2009 and 2013 on Sukhoi Su-30MKI. In May 2014, it was fired for the first time in air. On 18 March 2015, it successfully performed manoeuvre of upto 30g while engaging the target. The missile was fired in public during Iron Fist 2016 exercise from Sukhoi Su-30MKI. During a series of seven tests in September 2017, Astra Mk-1 was tested twice with an indigenous seeker. During user trials in 2019, it hit a target at a distance of . Astra Mk-1 with an indigenous seeker (instead of a Russian variant supplied by AGAT) is expected to be tested for the first time in May 2022. Astra Mk-2 During an annual press conference on October 4, 2022, IAF released footage of Astra Mk-2 launched from Su-30MKI using Unified Common Launcher developed by DRDO with industry partners for air to air missiles. Production Astra completed final development trials in September 2017 and was cleared for production by Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL). The missile will be manufactured at Bhanur, Telangana for an initial order of 50 missiles. Additional order of 248 missiles were placed for Indian Air Force and Indian Navy for use on various platforms like Sukhoi Su-30MKI, HAL Tejas, MiG-29 / MiG-29K. On 31 May 2022, Ministry of Defence (MoD) signed contract with BDL worth ₹2,971 crore (US$383 million) to produce 350+ units of Astra Mk-1 for Indian Air Force and Indian Navy under high priority Indian Designed, Developed and