In a significant boost to India’s defense capabilities, the country successfully test-fired a vertical launch short-range surface-to-air missile (VL-SRSAM) from the Integrated Test Range (ITR) at Chandipur, Odisha. The test was conducted at 3:19 PM on Thursday from launchpad number 3, marking another milestone in India’s indigenous missile development program.

The test was carried out by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) in collaboration with the Indian Navy. According to defense sources, the VL-SRSAM met all its performance parameters and was deemed a successful test. DRDO scientists are currently reviewing radar data collected during the test to analyze the missile’s flight performance, accuracy, and efficiency.

The VL-SRSAM is designed to target and neutralize aerial threats such as fighter jets, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), and other precision-guided munitions. What makes this test noteworthy is the use of indigenous technology in the missile, underlining India’s strides toward self-reliance in defense technology. This missile is expected to significantly enhance the Navy’s defense shield against incoming aerial threats.

Ahead of the missile launch, nearly 3,100 people living within a two-and-a-half-kilometer radius of the launch site were evacuated to ensure safety. These residents were temporarily relocated to cyclone shelters and makeshift tents to avoid any potential harm.

The success of this test is a major step forward in strengthening India’s air defense system. With the VL-SRSAM becoming a key asset in the country’s military arsenal, it reinforces the growing role of homegrown defense technologies in India’s strategic capabilities.