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Context

The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) successfully conducted two flight tests of Very Short-Range Air Defence System (VSHORADS) missile from Integrated Test Range off Odisha's Chandipur on February 28 and 29.

Details

• These tests were carried out against high speed unmanned aerial targets under different interception scenario. During all the test flights, the targets were intercepted and destroyed by the missiles, meeting the mission objectives.

VSHORADS

• The VSHORADS is a Man Portable Air Defence System (MANPAD) indigenously developed by Research Centre Imarat (RCI) in collaboration with other DRDO laboratories and other industry partners.
• The VSHORADS is propelled by a dual thrust solid motor and would be used for neutralising low altitude aerial threats at short ranges.
• VSHORADS missile incorporates many novel technologies including miniaturised Reaction Control System (RCS) and integrated avionics which have been successfully proven during the tests.

How will it benefit India?

• It is more portable and lightweight than the other missile systems in the Army's arsenal, it can be quickly deployed in the mountains close to the LAC.

• When it comes to man portable air defence missiles, there was a critical gap in the Army’s inventory, especially for the eastern and northern borders, though not so much for the western borders with Pakistan, for which India has the Soviet-vintage OSA AK missile systems.
• Others like the Akash Short Range Surface to Air Missile System are heavier with a theatre air defence umbrella of up to 25 km and can be deployed further away from the LAC for static formations.
• They will be the best option for mountain warfare when they are inducted and will be a crucial air defence missile for the forces, even for an infantry unit that is fully equipped.
• According to the defence ministry, attention should be given to effective air defence weapon systems that are man-portable and can be quickly deployed in challenging terrain and maritime domains in light of recent developments along the northern borders.
• It continued by saying that the purchase of VSHORAD will improve India's air defence capabilities because it is a reliable and quick-deployable system.

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