DRDO Test Flies VSHORADS

The Defence Research & Development Organisation (DRDO) has conducted three successive flight-trials of the Very Short-Range Air Defence System (VSHORADS) from the Integrated Test Range (ITR), Chandipur, off the coast of Odisha.

According to DRDO, the trials were carried out to revalidate the missile system’s capability to neutralise high-speed aerial threats flying at different speeds, ranges, and altitudes. During the tests, the missiles intercepted and destroyed targets designed to simulate enemy aircraft under varying threat scenarios. The trials were conducted in the system’s final deployment configuration, with field operators handling target acquisition and missile firing.

Flight data was recorded by telemetry systems, electro-optical tracking systems, and radars deployed at ITR Chandipur. DRDO stated that the data validated the system’s effectiveness against a range of aerial threats. Representatives of the Joint Forces and senior officials from DRDO and development-cum-production partners were present during the user validation trials.

VSHORADS is a man-portable air defence system designed and developed by Research Centre Imarat in collaboration with other DRDO laboratories and production partners. The system is intended to meet operational requirements of the Indian Army, Navy, and Air Force.

Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh congratulated DRDO, the Armed Forces, and industry partners on the tests. He stated, “the three consecutive successive flight-trials of VSHORADS is a great success, and the system can soon be inducted into armed forces.”

Secretary, Department of Defence R&D and Chairman DRDO Dr Samir V Kamat also congratulated the DRDO team, the Armed Forces, and industry partners involved in the project.