The Defence Research & Development Organisation (DRDO) and the Indian Navy conducted the successful flight-test of the indigenously-developed Vertically-Launched Short-Range Surface-to-Air Missile (VLSRSAM) from the Integrated Test Range (ITR), Chandipur, off the coast of Odisha on Wednesday.

The flight-test was carried out from a land-based vertical launcher against a high-speed aerial target at very close range and low altitude.

It has established the Near-Boundary-Low Altitude capability of the missile system.

"During the test, the target was destroyed by the missile executing the high turn rate required for engaging targets at very close range, and establishing the missile’s agility, reliability & pin-point accuracy," the Indian government said in a statement.

The test was conducted with all weapon system elements deployed in combat configuration.

These elements, including missiles with indigenous Radio Frequency seeker, Multi-Function Radar and Weapon Control System, have performed as per expectations.

The performance of the system was validated by the flight data captured by various Range Instruments developed by ITR Chandipur.

Sharing the video of the test, DRDO wrote on X: "Vertically-Launched Short-Range Surface-to-Air Missile (VLSRSAM) was successfully flight tested today, against a high-speed aerial target at very close range and low altitude, establishing the Near-Boundary-Low Altitude capability of the missile system."

In another X post, the Ministry of Defence said: "@DRDO_India & @indiannavy successfully test-fired the indigenously developed #VLSRSAM from off Odisha coast. The missile destroyed a high-speed aerial target at close range & low altitude, proving its agility, reliability & pinpoint accuracy. Equipped with an indigenous RF seeker, Multi-Function #Radar & Weapon Control System, the missile enhances Near-Boundary-Low Altitude capability. Raksha Mantri @rajnathsingh hailed it as a force multiplier for the Indian Navy, strengthening India’s defence capabilities."

Rajnath Singh lauds agencies

Congratulating DRDO, Indian Navy and the industry, Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh termed the missile system as proof of India’s strong design and development capabilities in defence R&D.

"It will be an excellent force multiplier for the Indian Navy," he said.

Secretary, Department of Defence R&D and Chairman DRDO Samir V Kamat also congratulated DRDO, Indian Navy & associated teams on this successful flight test, and stated that the missile, equipped with modern technologies, will give further technological boost to the Armed Forces.