VSHORADS Missile: On Saturday, 1st February, the Defence Ministry announced the successful test flights of a short-range air defence missile system. According to The Defence Ministry, the tests were conducted at Chandipur, off the Odisha coast, where three missiles were launched against fast-moving aerial targets flying at very low altitudes. These trials proved the missile’s accuracy and efficiency in tracking and destroying airborne threats.
The missile, known as Very Short-Range Air Defence System (VSHORADS), is designed to engage low-flying enemy aircraft, drones, and helicopters. It has an operational range of 250 meters to 6 kilometers and can reach a maximum speed of Mach 1.5, or about 1,850 km/h.
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One of its most advanced features is the proximity fuse, which allows it to explode near its target rather than requiring a direct hit. This increases its chances of destroying fast-moving or small objects by creating a blast radius around them.
VSHORADS is designed for both shoulder-launched and tripod-mounted use, making it highly portable and adaptable for different combat situations. A defence official described the system as “a crucial step forward in strengthening India’s air defence capabilities.”
The missile was developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), India’s premier agency for military technology. DRDO has played a major role in modernizing India’s defence systems and has achieved several milestones in missile technology.
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DRDO has developed various advanced weapon systems, including the Agni and Prithvi ballistic missiles, the BrahMos supersonic cruise missile in collaboration with Russia, and the Akash surface-to-air missile. DRDO is also responsible for developing the Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas and several indigenous radar and electronic warfare systems.
