The 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 a naval ship at the Integrated Test Range (ITR), Chandipur off the coast of Odisha on Friday.
The VL-SRSAM, a ship-borne weapon system, is meant for neutralising 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.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh congratulated the DRDO, the Navy and the industry for the successful flight-test and said the system has added an armour that would further enhance the defence capability of naval ships against aerial threats.
Secretary, Department of Defence R&D, and Chairman DRDO Dr G Satheesh Reddy said it would prove to be a force multiplier for the Navy and is another milestone towards the vision of Aatmanirbhar Bharat.