New Delhi: The Defence Research & Development Organisation (DRDO) has successfully carried out three successive flight trials of the Very Short-Range Air Defence System (VSHORADS) from the Integrated Test Range (ITR) at Chandipur, off the coast of Odisha.
The trials were conducted to revalidate the missile system’s capability to neutralise high-speed aerial threats flying at varying speeds, ranges, and altitudes.
During all three tests, the missiles intercepted and destroyed high-speed aerial targets that mimicked enemy aircraft under different threat scenarios. The system met all extreme engagement parameters. The trials were conducted in the final deployment configuration.
Flight data was recorded using telemetry systems, electro-optical tracking systems, and radars deployed at ITR Chandipur. The data validated the effectiveness of VSHORADS against a wide spectrum of aerial threats, according to an official statement.
The user validation trials were conducted in the presence of representatives from the Joint Forces, along with senior DRDO officials and development-cum-production partners.
VSHORADS is a man-portable air defence system designed and developed indigenously by Research Centre Imarat in collaboration with other DRDO laboratories and industry partners. The missile system is capable of meeting the operational requirements of the Indian Army, Navy, and Air Force.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh congratulated DRDO, the Armed Forces, and industry partners for the successful trials. He described the three consecutive tests as a major achievement and said the system is ready for induction into the armed forces.
Dr Samir V Kamat, Secretary of the Department of Defence R&D and Chairman DRDO, also congratulated the teams involved in the design and development of the system, along with the Armed Forces and industry partners.
