India on Friday achieved a milestone in its missile development programme when scientists of the Defence Research and Development Organisation successfully test-fired the indigenously developed air-to-air missile Astra at the Integrated Test Range at Chandipur, 15km from Balasore, defence sources said.

A prototype of the sleek missile was test-launched from a ground based fixed launcher with the help of a booster engine at about 0015 IST from launch complex number two of the ITR, the sources said.

Astra is considered a new system in India's guided missile development programme.

Powered by solid propellant, the missile has a striking range of 25 to 40km.

More trials are in the offing with one being scheduled within the next two days, they said.