Senior officials of the Defence Research and Development Organisation DRDO and Indian Navy successfully flight-tested a vertical launch short range surface to air missile VL-SRSAM earlier today. The tests were conducted from Indian Naval Naval Ship, off the coast of Odisha s Chandipur, news agency ANI reported.
The system was successfully engaged against a high-speed aerial target that 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.
A DRDO official told the news agency, Vertical Launch Short Range Surface to Air Missile was successfully tested by Defence Research and Development Organisation DRDO and Indian Navy today. The launch was conducted from the Indian Naval Ship, off the coast of Chandipur, Odisha. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh shared some pictures from the flight test and wrote, Congratulations to DRDO, Indian Navy and the industry for the successful flight test of Vertical Launch Short Range Surface to Air Missile off the coast of Chandipur, Odisha. This success will enhance the defence capability of Indian Naval Ships against the aerial threats. Admiral R Hari Kumar, Chief of the Naval Staff, said that the development of this indigenous missile system will strengthen the Indian Navy's defensive capabilities.
Secretary of Research and Development at Department of Defence and DRDO Chairman Dr G Satheesh Reddy said that the test has proven the integration of indigenous weapon system on Indian Naval Ships, while adding that the VL-SRSAM will prove to be a force multiplier for the Indian Navy. Dr G Satheesh Reddy also hailed the missile system as another milestone towards Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Aatmanirbhar Bharat mission.
The VL-SRSAM is a ship-borne weapon system that is meant to neutralize aerial threats at close ranges including sea-skimming targets.