India has marked a significant advancement in its defense capabilities by successfully conducting three flight tests of the indigenously developed Very Short Range Air Defence System (VSHORADS) missiles at the Pokhran firing ranges in Rajasthan.

These tests were executed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) as part of development trials aimed at strengthening the Indian Armed Forces' ability to counter aerial threats, including enemy aircraft, drones, and other short-range targets.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh praised the successful trials, commending the DRDO, the Indian Army, and industry partners involved in this project. He emphasized that the new missile system, enhanced with modern technologies, will provide a technological advantage to the armed forces in defending against aerial threats.

“The DRDO has successfully conducted three flight tests of the 4th Generation, advanced miniaturised weapon system VSHORADS from Pokhran,” said the Defence Minister’s office. “This marks a significant milestone in boosting India’s defense capabilities.”

The VSHORADS missiles have been in development for several years and are regarded as a vital addition to India’s defense arsenal. While the Indian Armed Forces currently depend on Russian Igla missiles for short-range air defense, the need for modernization has been pressing for over a decade. The VSHORADS system is expected to address this gap, providing an advanced, homegrown solution.

Two private companies have played essential roles as development and production partners in the VSHORADS project, showcasing the growing involvement of India’s defense industry in developing indigenous defense technologies.

This achievement follows Defence Minister Rajnath Singh’s remarks at the Indo-Pacific Regional Dialogue (IPRD) 2024 in New Delhi, where he reaffirmed India’s commitment to peaceful dispute resolution and regional cooperation.

Singh highlighted India's status as a “credible and preferred security partner and first responder” in the Indo-Pacific, while emphasizing the nation's vision for sustainable development, economic growth, and collective security under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s SAGAR (Security and Growth for All in the Region) initiative.

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