By The Sampadak Express
The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has achieved a significant milestone with the successful completion of three consecutive flight trials of its Very Short-Range Air Defence System (VSHORADS) at Chandipur, off the Odisha coast. This marks a major advancement in India’s indigenous defence capabilities, as the VSHORADS system is designed to meet the operational needs of the Indian Army, Navy, and Air Force.
Developed by DRDO’s Research Center Imarat in collaboration with various DRDO laboratories and its Development cum Production Partners, VSHORADS is a man-portable air defence system tailored to counter a range of aerial threats. It is intended to provide the armed forces with a versatile and effective tool against a variety of airborne targets, including low-flying, high-speed aerial threats, such as enemy aircraft and drones.
The trials were conducted with the aim of testing the system’s performance against high-speed targets flying at low altitudes, replicating real-world threats that the system would need to defend against in combat scenarios. The tests were carried out in the final deployment configuration, where two field operators were involved in conducting weapon readiness, target acquisition, and missile firing procedures.
Senior officials from DRDO and the Indian Armed Forces closely monitored the flight trials. The tests incorporated a range of advanced tracking and monitoring technologies, including Telemetry, Electro-Optical Tracking Systems (EOTS), and radar systems, all deployed by the Integrated Test Range (ITR) at Chandipur. These tools provided valuable flight data, confirming the system’s pinpoint accuracy in intercepting and neutralizing threats.
One of the standout features of the VSHORADS missile system is its unique capability to neutralize a variety of aerial threats, including drones. The trials showcased the system’s ability to successfully intercept and engage a diverse range of targets, further validating its effectiveness as a multi-functional air defence solution.
The successful completion of these flight trials represents a crucial step toward enhancing India’s indigenous air defence capabilities. VSHORADS is expected to provide enhanced protection against aerial threats, offering both flexibility and reliability for the armed forces across multiple platforms.
As the trials pave the way for future developments, the successful integration of such advanced systems into the Indian military’s arsenal further strengthens the country’s self-reliance in defence technology.
