The Defence Research and Development Organization (DRDO) successfully conducted two test flights of the Very-Short Range Air Defence System (VSHORADS) missile on Tuesday from a ground-based portable launcher at the Integrated Test Range, Chandipur, off the coast of Odisha.


As per DRDO, VSHORADS is an indigenously designed and developed Man Portable Air Defence System (MANPAD). It was created by the Research Centre Imarat (RCI), Hyderabad, in collaboration with other DRDO laboratories and Indian Industry Partners. 


The VSHORADS incorporates a number of novel technologies, including a miniaturised Reaction Control System and integrated avionics, which have been successfully tested, reported news agency ANI. 


A dual thrust solid motor propels the missile, which is designed to counter low-altitude aerial threats at short ranges.






The missile's design, including the launcher, has been highly optimised for portability. Both flight tests completely fulfilled the mission objectives.


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In the multilayered air defence network, VSHORAD is the soldier's last line of defence against enemy combat aircraft and helicopters. 


These Very Short Range Air Defence Missiles are considered extremely vital for the defence of any major city or any strategically important location. The present stock with the Indian Army like the Air Defence Guns L-70 and the ZU-23 are over four decades old and hence totally obsolete. 


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(With Inputs From ANI)