DRDO & Indian Navy Successfully Test Vertical Launch Short-Range SAM Off Odisha Coast

The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and the Indian Navy successfully conducted a flight test of the Vertical Launch Short Range Surface-to-Air Missile (VL-SRSAM) from the Integrated Test Range (ITR) in Chandipur, Odisha, on September 12, 2024, at around 3 PM.

The missile system, launched from a land-based vertical launcher, engaged a low-flying, high-speed aerial target, demonstrating its operational effectiveness and tracking capabilities. The test validated several upgraded features, including the Proximity Fuse and Seeker, with performance monitored by instruments such as Radar, Electro-Optical Tracking System (EOTS), and Telemetry.

Objective of the Test

The test aimed to engage and neutralize a fast-moving aerial target while validating key upgrades in the missile system, particularly in terms of proximity detection and seeker technology.

Monitoring & Data Assessment

The performance of the VL-SRSAM was assessed using multiple instruments, including Radar, EOTS, and telemetry systems, deployed at the ITR Chandipur for precise data tracking and confirmation.

Acknowledgments

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh lauded DRDO, the Navy, and the teams involved for the test, reinforcing the system’s reliability. DRDO Chairman Dr. Samir V Kamat highlighted the missile’s role as a force multiplier for the Indian Navy’s operational capabilities.