Platform profile · India · Shipborne vertical-launch short-range surface-to-air missile · Indian Navy
Vertically-Launched Short-Range Surface-to-Air Missile
TrialsThe March 26, 2025 combat-configuration flight test established near-boundary low-altitude engagement capability.
On March 26, 2025, DRDO and the Indian Navy used a full combat configuration to destroy a high-speed target at very close range and low altitude, establishing the system's near-boundary low-altitude capability. That test followed back-to-back trials in September 2024 that validated updated components against low-altitude and sea-skimming profiles. The indigenous shipborne weapon has a stated strike range of up to 80 km and is intended to counter fighters, helicopters, UAVs and sea-skimming threats. Ship-based launches in 2022 demonstrated onboard integration and the indigenous radio-frequency seeker. VL-SRSAM matters because it gives Indian warships an indigenous quick-reaction layer against fast aerial threats inside the fleet's broader air-defence envelope.
Updated 26 Mar 2025
Verified figures
Specifications
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| Role | Quick-reaction point defence of Indian naval ships against close-range aerial threats ↗ |
| Stated strike range | Up to 80 km ↗ |
| Target set | Fighter aircraft, helicopters, UAVs and sea-skimming aerial threats ↗ |
| Developer | Indigenously designed and developed by DRDO for the Indian Navy ↗ |
| Launch arrangement | Canisterised missile fired vertically ↗ |
| Demonstrated launch platforms | Land-based or static vertical launcher and an Indian naval ship ↗ |
| Seeker | Indigenous radio-frequency seeker ↗ |
| Fire-control elements | Multi-Function Radar and Weapon Control System ↗ |
| Close-in engagement capability | High-turn-rate interception at very close range and low altitude ↗ |
| 2024 updated components | Proximity fuse and seeker were among the elements validated ↗ |
Spec sources: pib.gov.in ↗ · pib.gov.in ↗ · pib.gov.in ↗ · pib.gov.in ↗ · pib.gov.in ↗ · pib.gov.in ↗
Changelog
Program timeline
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DRDO and the Indian Navy destroyed a high-speed target at very close range and low altitude from a land-based vertical launcher at ITR Chandipur, with the missile, indigenous RF seeker, Multi-Function Radar and Weapon Control System deployed in combat configuration.
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A second consecutive ITR Chandipur flight test intercepted a high-speed target simulating a very-low-altitude sea-skimming threat and validated recent component upgrades.
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A land-launched missile tracked and engaged a high-speed low-altitude target at ITR Chandipur while the test validated updated elements including the proximity fuse and seeker.
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An Indian naval ship launched VL-SRSAM at ITR Chandipur and the missile's indigenous RF seeker intercepted a high-speed unmanned aerial target with high accuracy.
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DRDO and the Indian Navy fired VL-SRSAM from an Indian naval ship at ITR Chandipur and engaged a high-speed aerial target mimicking an aircraft, proving onboard integration of the indigenous weapon system.
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A confirmatory trial from a vertical launcher against a very-low-altitude electronic target validated integrated operation of the launcher controller, canisterised flight vehicle and Weapon Control System.
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DRDO completed two launches in the maiden campaign from a static vertical launcher at ITR Chandipur, intercepting simulated targets at tested minimum and maximum ranges with pinpoint accuracy.
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