India successfully flight tests new vertical launch short range Missile required for Indian Naval Ships

New Delhi, Dec 8: Planned for integration onboard naval ships, India successfully flight tested the indigenously developed new Vertical Launch Short Range Surface-to-Air Missile from Odisha coast here, the Defence Ministry said. The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO)-developed quick reaction surface-to-air-missile was test-launched from the Integrated Test Range at Chandipur near here at about 3.08 pm.

 

The launch was conducted from a vertical launcher against an electronic target at a very low altitude. The flight path of the vehicle along with health parameters was monitored using a number of tracking instruments. All sub-systems performed as per expectation. It was conducted to validate the integrated operation of all weapon system components including the vertical launcher unit with controller, canisters flight vehicle, weapon control system etc. required for future launches of the missile from Indian Naval Ships.

 

Notably, The first trial was conducted on 22 February 2021 and this is confirmatory trial to prove the consistent performance of the configuration and integrated operation. The missile has an operational range of 50 to km distance and features mid course inertial guidance through fiber optic gyroscope and active radar homing in terminal phase.

 

 

The DRDO tweeted, “Vertical Launch Short Range Surface to Air Missile for @IndianNavy was flight tested from ITR Chandipur. The missile was tested against an electronic target at a low altitude. The weapon is planned for integration onboard naval ships.”

 

 

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh congratulated DRDO, Indian Navy and industry for the successful flight test of VLSRSTA and said the system will enhance the defence capability of Indian naval ships against aerial threat, RMO (defence minister) India said in its official twitter post.

 

 

Ahead of the test firing of the tactical missile on Tuesday, Balasore district administration as a safety measure temporarily shifted more than 4,500 people residing within 2.5 km radius of launch pad number 3 of the ITR from where the weapon with a dummy pay load was positioned and launched.

 

A district revenue official said, ”On the request of ITR authority people residing in six hamlets in close proximity to the ITR launch site had to be temporarily shifted to nearby shelter centers with compensation. They will return to their homes after the DRDO gives the green signal for it.”