Rajasthan: The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has successfully conducted three flight tests of the advanced 4th Generation Very Short Range Air Defence System (VSHORADS) at the Pokhran Field Firing Ranges in Rajasthan. The trials on October 3 and 4, 2024, showcased the system's critical capabilities, further strengthening India’s aerial defence readiness.
These tests demonstrated the VSHORADS missile’s ability to intercept targets at maximum range and altitude. The system performed exceptionally well, engaging high-speed targets in a variety of complex scenarios, including approaching, receding, and crossing modes. The trials confirmed the weapon’s repeatability and hit-to-kill precision, meeting key operational parameters.
Developed indigenously, the VSHORADS system is a Man-Portable Air Defence System (MANPADS) created by the Research Centre Imarat (RCI) in collaboration with other DRDO laboratories. The missile is designed to neutralize aerial threats and is equipped with advanced technologies to deliver precise and effective performance.
These recent trials also marked a significant milestone in the missile’s journey toward production. Two production agencies were engaged under the Development cum Production Partner (DcPP) mode, and the missiles manufactured through this collaboration were successfully tested during the trials. With the tests complete, the system is now set to undergo early user trials, speeding up its deployment in line with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’ vision for self-reliance in defence.
The successful tests were welcomed by India’s leadership. Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh lauded the DRDO, the armed forces, and the defence industry involved in the trials, noting that the advanced missile would provide a significant technological boost to the country's armed forces.
Dr. Samir V Kamat, Secretary of the Department of Defence R&D and Chairman of DRDO, also congratulated the teams involved, commending their efforts in bringing this state-of-the-art air defence system closer to production.
The VSHORADS missile is expected to enhance India's air defence network by providing a highly effective, portable solution against aerial threats, significantly bolstering the country's defensive capabilities. (PR)