The Indian Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) on 27 Sep 2022 successfully flight tested the Very Short Range Air Defence System (VSHORADS) Man-portable air-defense systems (MANPADS) in Chandipur off the coast of Odisha. They are guided weapons and are a threat to low-flying aircraft, especially helicopters. Twenty-five countries, including the United Kingdom, the United States, Poland, Sweden, Russia, and Turkey, produce man-portable air defense systems.

The VSHORADS is a Man Portable Air Defence System (MANPAD) system designed and developed indigenously by Hyderabad-based Research Centre Imarat of the Defence Research and Development Organisation, Hyderabad in collaboration with other Indian Defence Research and Development Organisation laboratories and Indian Industry Partners.

Hon’ble Raksha Mantri, Shri Rajnath Singh complimented and appreciated the efforts of DRDO and industry partners and said that this new missile equipped with modern technologies will give further technological boost to the Armed Forces. Secretary Department of Defence R&D (DDR&D) and Chairman Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) congratulated the entire VSHORADS team for this tremendous success.

VSHORADS missile incorporates many novel technologies including miniaturized Reaction Control System (RCS) and integrated avionics, which have been successfully proven during the tests. The missile, meant for neutralizing low altitude aerial threats at short ranges is propelled by a dual thrust solid motor. The design of the missile including launcher has been highly optimized to ensure easy portability. Both the flight tests have completely met the mission objectives.