India on Tuesday, August 23rd successfully test-fired a Vertical Launch Short Range Surface-to-Air Missile (VL-SRSAM) from the Integrated Test Range (ITR), Chandipur, off the Odisha coast, Balasore.
According to DRDO sources, the flight test was conducted from an Indian naval ship against one high-speed aerial surveillance target to demonstrate vertical access to space. “During the test launch, flight path and vehicle performance parameters were monitored using flight data captured by various range instruments such as radar, electro-optical tracking systems (EOTS) and telemetry systems deployed by ITR, Chandipur,” the officials said.
The missiles, which were outfitted with an indigenous radio frequency (RF) seeker, confiscated the target with great precision. DRDO designed and developed the VL-SRSAM in-house system. Senior scientists were present to monitor the launch at the DRDO laboratories.
BJP leader and Defence Minister of India, Mr. Rajnath Singh congratulated DRDO scientists. He praised the efforts of the Indian navy and associated teams for the safe and successful launch. G. Satheesh Reddy, Secretary of Defence R&D and Chairman of DRDO, also expressed gratitude to the teams involved in the successful flight test. Reddy quoted, “The trial has proved the effectiveness of the weapon system. It will further strengthen the Indian Navy in neutralizing various aerial threats at close ranges, inclusive of sea-skimming targets”.
