India successfully conducted two tests of its indigenous man-portable air defense missile system. The system is designed to destroy hostile aircraft, drones, and helicopters at very short ranges.

According to a statement from the Ministry of Defence, the DRDO conducted two successful flight tests of Very Short-Range Air Defence System (VSHORADS) missiles. The tests took place on February 28 and 29 from a ground-based portable launcher located off the coast of Odisha at the integrated test range in Chandipur.

An official stated that the tests were conducted against high-speed unmanned aerial targets, simulating various interception scenarios. Throughout the test flights, the missiles successfully intercepted and destroyed the targets, thereby meeting all mission objectives.

The VSHORADS missile, designed and developed by the Research Centre Imarat (RCI) in collaboration with other DRDO laboratories and Indian industry partners, incorporates several innovative technologies. These include miniaturized reaction control systems and integrated avionics, all of which have been successfully demonstrated during the tests, as per the official.

According to the statement, the missile is propelled by a dual-thrust solid motor and is intended for neutralizing low-altitude aerial threats at short ranges. The design of both the missile and its launcher has been highly optimized to ensure easy portability, the official elaborated.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh congratulated the DRDO, Army, and the industry involved in the successful development trials, stating that this new missile equipped with modern technologies will provide a significant technological boost to the armed forces.

In January last year, the Defence Acquisitions Council, led by Defense Minister Rajnath Singh, approved the "acceptance of necessity" for the procurement of the infrared homing VSHORADS missiles. The missiles are under design and development by DRDO for Rs 1,920 crore.

Meanwhile, the armed forces are incorporating a limited number of comparable Russian systems to address operational deficiencies amid the ongoing military standoff with China in eastern Ladakh.

Over the past three years, the Army and IAF have finalized several contracts for a limited quantity of Russian Igla-S MANPADS under emergency procurement provisions. In May last year, the Army signed the latest contract for 100 Igla-S missiles and 48 launchers.

While possessing the older Igla-1M systems since 1989, both the Army and IAF are upgrading to the improved Igla-S variant, which offers an extended interception range of up to 6 kilometers.

Image source: Indian Express