In a major milestone for India's defence capabilities, Defence Research & Development Organisation (DRDO) and the Indian Navy, on Thursday, successfully conducted the flight test of the Vertical Launch Short Range Surface-to-Air Missile (VL-SRSAM) from the Integrated Test Range (ITR) in Chandipur, off the coast of Odisha.
The missile system successfully tracked and engaged a high-speed aerial target flying at a low altitude. The flight test was carried out from a land-based vertical launcher.
The purpose of the test was to validate a few updated elements of the weapon system, including the Proximity Fuse and Seeker.
Various instruments such as the Radar Electro-Optical Tracking System and telemetry deployed at ITR Chandipur tracked the performance of the system.
Hailing the achievement, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said this test reaffirms the reliability and effectiveness of the VL-SRSAM weapon system.
VL-SRSAM is designed to neutralise aerial threats at close ranges, including fighter aircraft and sea-skimming anti-ship missiles.