DRDO conducts VSHORADS Flight Tests off Odisha coast

Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has successfully conducted three successive flight trials of Very Short-Range Air Defence System (VSHORADS). 

In all three flight tests, the missiles successfully intercepted and completely destroyed targets with reduced thermal signatures, simulating low-flying drones under various flight conditions.

This missile system is designed to meet the requirements of all three branches of the Indian Armed Forces: the Army, Navy, and Air Force.

The tests were conducted from Chandipur, located off the coast of Odisha.

According to the Ministry of Defence, these tests were carried out against high-speed targets flying at very low altitudes. The flight tests were carried out in the final deployment configuration where two field operators carried out weapon readiness, target acquisition and missile firing. 

The flight data captured by various range instruments like Telemetry, Electro-Optical Tracking System and Radar deployed by Integrated Test Range, Chandipur, confirmed the pin-point accuracy and established the unique capability of VSHORADS missile system in neutralising drones along with other classes of aerial threats. 

The flight tests were witnessed by senior officials of DRDO, the Armed Forces and development and production partners. 

VSHORADS is a Man Portable Air Defence system designed and developed indigenously by Research Center Imarat in collaboration with other DRDO laboratories and Development cum Production Partners. 

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh also congratulated DRDO, Armed Forces and the industries for the successful flight tests, terming it as a “great success”. 

Secretary, Department of Defence R and D and Chairman DRDO Dr Samir V Kamat also congratulated the entire DRDO team, users and industry partners.

(With IANS inputs)