New Delhi: The Indian Navy on Friday successfully tested a vertical-launch, short-range, surface-to-air missile (VL-SRSAM) from an Indian Naval Ship at Integrated Test Range (ITR) in Chandipur, off the coast of Odisha. “Vertical Launch Short Range Surface to Air Missile (VL-SRSAM) is successfully flight tested today by Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and Indian Navy. The launch was conducted from the Indian Naval Ship, off the Coast of Chandipur, Odisha,” news agency ANI quoted a DRDO official as saying.
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 were monitored using a number of tracking instruments deployed by ITR, Chandipur. The test launch was monitored by senior officials from DRDO and the Indian Navy, as per reports.
Shortly after the test, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh took to his Twitter handle and wrote, “Congratulations to DRDO, Indian Navy & the industry for the successful flight test of Vertical Launch Short Range Surface to Air Missile off the coast of Chandipur, Odisha. This success will further enhance the defence capability of Indian Naval Ships against the aerial threats.”
Congratulations to DRDO, Indian Navy & the industry for the successful flight test of Vertical Launch Short Range Surface to Air Missile off the coast of Chandipur, Odisha. This success will further enhance the defence capability of Indian Naval Ships against the aerial threats. pic.twitter.com/ltkUyhm0iR
— Rajnath Singh (@rajnathsingh) June 24, 2022
As per the ANI report, Chief of Naval Staff, Admiral R Hari Kumar appreciated the Indian Navy and DRDO for the successful flight test and said that the development of this indigenous missile system will further boost the defensive capabilities of the Indian Navy.
Secretary, DDR&D and Chairman DRDO, Dr G Satheesh Reddy congratulated the teams involved in the successful flight test and said that this has proved the integration of indigenous weapon system onboard Indian Naval Ships.
He further added that it will prove to be a force multiplier for the Indian Navy and is another milestone towards Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat.
(With inputs from ANI)