A Vertical Launch Short Range Surface to Air Missile (VL-SRSAM) was successfully flight-tested by the Defence Research & Development Organisation (DRDO) and the Indian Navy from an Indian Naval Ship at the Integrated Test Range (ITR), Chandipur, off the coast of Odisha on June 24, 2022.
The VL-SRSAM, a ship-borne weapon system, is meant for neutralizing various aerial threats at close ranges including sea-skimming targets.
The launch of the system was conducted against a high-speed aerial target mimicking aircraft, which was successfully engaged.
The flight path of the vehicle along with health parameters was monitored using a number of tracking instruments deployed by ITR, Chandipur. The test launch was monitored by senior officials from DRDO & the Indian Navy.
Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh congratulated DRDO, the Indian Navy, and the industry for the successful flight test and stated that the system has added an armor that will further enhance the defense capability of Indian Naval ships against aerial threats.
Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral R Hari Kumar appreciated the Indian Navy & DRDO for the successful flight test of the VL-SRSAM and said that the development of this indigenous missile system will further strengthen the defensive capabilities of the Indian Navy.
Dr. G Satheesh Reddy, Secretary, Department of Defence R&D & Chairman, DRDO, complimented the teams involved in the successful flight test.
He said the test has proved the integration of indigenous weapon systems onboard Indian Naval Ships.
He added that it will prove to be a force multiplier for the Indian Navy and is another milestone toward Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s vision of ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’.