DRDO successfully tests VL-SRSAM missile at Chandipur, Odisha

India’s premier Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has successfully tested its indigenously designed and developed Vertical Launch Short Range Surface to Air Missile (VL-SRSAM) on 26th March 2025. The test was conducted at the Integrated Test Range (ITR) in Chandipur island in Bay Bengal, off the coast of Odisha. 

The missile is being developed by the DRDO for the Indian Navy, and the Indian Navy personnel were involved in the testing of the missile.

The DRDO-developed missile will replace the Israeli short-range surface-to-air missile, Barak-1 missile, currently deployed by the Indian Navy.

Validation of Near-Boundary-Low Altitude capability

The latest test of the VL-SRAM missile successfully validated the Near-Boundary-Low Altitude capability of the missile system. 

The missile, which was launched from a land-based vertical launcher, was successfully able to intercept a fast-moving unmanned aerial target at very close range and low altitude.

According to the defence ministry, the missile successfully demonstrated its ability and agility to engage hostile close targets and destroy them with pinpoint accuracy.

The missile, equipped with an indigenous Radio Frequency seeker, Multi-Function Radar and Weapon Control System, performed as per the expectation.

Who is Manufacturing the Missile? 

The indigenous missile is being manufactured by the public sector defence company Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL).

Bharat Dynamics was established by the government of  India in 1970 under the Ministry of Defence.

It is based in Hyderabad, Telangana.

The company manufactures indigenously developed guided missile systems, Underwater Weapons, airborne products, and allied defence equipment for the Indian Armed Forces. .

Capability of the VL-SRAM Missile 

The missile can be launched vertically from a Naval ship.

It is a surface-to-air ballistic missile that can be launched in any weather conditions.

The missile is a quick reaction missile that can engage supersonic sea-skimming targets like unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), aircraft, and missiles.

VL-SRSAM weighs 170 kg, is 3,931 mm long, and 178 mm in diameter.

The range of the missile is up to 50 km. 

The missile equipped with electronic counter-countermeasures (ECCM) features has a smokeless propulsion system..

The missile is powered by a single pulse rocket motor with solid propellant.

The missile carries a high-explosive pre‐formed fragmentation warhead, which is detonated by an active radar proximity fuze.

DRDO (Defence Research and Development Organisation) 

Established in 1958 by the government of India 1958 under the administrative control of the Ministry of Defence.

It conducts research and development in building weapon systems for the Indian armed forces.

Chairman of DRDO : Dr Samir V Kamath

Headquarters: New Delhi