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VL-SRSAM
Indian surface to air missile series

The Vertical Launch – Short Range Surface to Air Missile (VL-SRSAM) is a rapid-response surface-to-air missile developed by India’s Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO). During mid-course flight, it employs a fibre-optic gyroscope based inertial guidance system, switching to active radar homing in the terminal phase. The missile supports both lock on before launch (LOBL) and lock on after launch (LOAL) modes and receives mid-course updates via datalink. Designed to replace the Barak 1 system, VL-SRSAM enhances short-range air defense capabilities for the Indian Navy and Air Force.

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Design

VL-SRSAM is based on Astra Mark 1 air-to-air missile with four short-span long-chord cruciform wings that provide aerodynamic stability. It also includes additional jet vane driven thrust vector control to enable quick reaction time on vertical launch and smokeless exhaust.4 VL-SRSAM conceived for area and point-defence role to save naval platforms. Each Vertical Launch System (VLS) can hold forty missiles in a twin quad-pack canister configuration carrying eight missiles each for hot launch that can be installed in an arrangement of multiple launch systems based on availability of space on the ship. The missile is for neutralizing various aerial threats at medium and close ranges, including fighter aircraft and sea skimming anti-ship missiles.5 With its 360° interception capability, as an integrated missile and weapon control system (WCS), it can identify and neutralize threats coming from all directions. Even though a short-range air defense missile was the original goal, the VL-SRSAM is a medium-range air defense system. Its attack range of 40 km has been increased to 80 km. The missile is said to be fitted in destroyers, frigates, corvettes and aircraft carriers.678

Defence Research and Development Laboratory (DRDL), Research & Development Establishment (Engineers), Research Centre Imarat (RCI) and some private sector industries were involved in the design and development of the missile system as part of Development cum Production Partner programme (DCPP).910 VL-SRSAM superseded the cancelled Maitri missile project undertaken jointly by MBDA and DRDO based on the work done on MICA and Trishul.11 The aerodynamic characterization research was conducted at the National Aerospace Laboratories' 1.2m Trisonic Wind Tunnel Facility.12

In 2024, DRDO developed an IAF-specific 8×2 truck-mounted variant. It has been developed for defending frontline airbases in conjunction with the Akash system.1314

Testing

  • 22 February 2021: Maiden test firing of VL-SRSAM. DRDO successfully test fired two VL-SRSAM at Integrated Test Range (ITR) in Chandipur, off the coast of Odisha. The launch tested the efficacy of vertical launch system and missile's maximum and minimum range. Both the missile successfully intercepted their target with pin point accuracy.15
  • 7 December 2021: VL-SRSAM was successfully tested by DRDO from Integrated Test Range, Chandipur. The launch was conducted from a vertical launcher against an electronic target at a very low altitude. The launch was conducted to validate integrated operation of all weapon system components including the vertical launcher unit with controller, canisterised flight vehicle, weapon control system etc.16
  • 24 June 2022: DRDO announced that India has successfully test-fired the VL-SRSAM from an Indian Naval Ship, off the coast of Chandipur. The launch of the system was conducted against a high-speed aerial target mimicking aircraft, which was successfully engaged.17
  • 23 August 2022: DRDO and Indian Navy successfully flight tested VL-SRSAM from the ITR, Chandipur off the coast of Odisha on. The flight test was carried out from an Indian Naval Ship against a high-speed unmanned aerial target for demonstration of vertical launch capability. The missiles, equipped with indigenous Radio Frequency (RF) seeker, intercepted the target with high accuracy.18
  • 2023: DRDO test fired VL-SRSAM from Integrated Test Range, Chandipur on an unknown date as per a press release.19
  • 12 September 2024: DRDO and the Indian Navy successfully carried out the VL-SRSAM user associate trial from ITR, Chandipur. The test was conducted against a low-altitude, high-speed aerial target from a land-based vertical launcher. The target was successfully tracked and engaged. The purpose of this test was to verify several improved components, including Seeker and Proximity Fuse.2021
  • 13 September 2024: The Indian Navy and DRDO conducted a successful follow-up VL-SRSAM user associate trial against a high-speed sea-skimming aerial target.222324
  • 26 March 2025: DRDO and the Indian Navy successfully tested VLSRSAM against a high-speed aerial target at low altitude and very close range from a land-based vertical launcher at ITR, Chandipur. The test demonstrated near-boundary-low altitude capability. The missile proved its agility, dependability, and pinpoint precision by destroying the target entirely and accomplishing higher turn rate needed for target engagement at very close range. All of the system components were deployed in combat configuration mode. The missile has functioned as expected thanks to its indigenous RF seeker, multi-function radar, and weapon control system. Several range instruments at ITR recorded flight data, which was used to validate the performance.25

Operators

 India

See also

  • India portal
  • Rocketry portal

References

  1. Rout, Hemant K (22 February 2021). "Maiden test of Vertically Launched SRSAM from ITR off Odisha coast likely today". The New Indian Express. Retrieved 22 February 2021. https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/odisha/2021/feb/22/maiden-test-of-vertically-launched-srsam-from-itr-off-odisha-coast-likely-today-2267271.html ↩

  2. "DRDO conducts first launch of the VL-SRSAM". The Week. Retrieved 22 February 2021. https://www.theweek.in/news/india/2021/02/22/drdo-conducts-first-launch-of-vl-srsam.html ↩

  3. "DRDO successfully launches VL-SRSAM twice | India News - Times of India". The Times of India. PTI. 22 February 2021. Retrieved 22 February 2021. https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/drdo-successfully-launches-vl-srsam-twice/articleshow/81157352.cms ↩

  4. Kulkarni, Sushant (11 December 2021). "Explained: What is the vertical launch surface to air missile that India has successfully test-fired?". The Indian Express. Retrieved 11 December 2021. https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/what-is-vertical-launch-short-range-surface-to-air-missile-7667344/ ↩

  5. "Navy's Surface-To-Air Missile Test-Fired, Can Hit Sea-Skimming Targets". NDTV.com. Retrieved 23 February 2021. https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/navys-vertical-launch-short-range-surface-to-air-missile-test-fired-can-hit-sea-skimming-targets-2376308 ↩

  6. "DRDO successfully launches Surface to Air Missile capable of neutralising aerial threats". Zee News. 22 February 2021. Retrieved 23 February 2021. https://zeenews.india.com/india/drdo-successfully-launches-surface-to-air-missile-vl-srsam-missile-system-capable-of-neutralizing-aerial-threats-2343701.html ↩

  7. Rout, Hemant Kumar (22 February 2021). "Maiden test of Vertically Launched SRSAM from ITR off Odisha coast likely today". The New Indian Express. Retrieved 22 February 2021. https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/odisha/2021/feb/22/maiden-test-of-vertically-launched-srsam-from-itr-off-odisha-coast-likely-today-2267271.html ↩

  8. Rout, Hemant Kumar (12 September 2024). "India successfully test-fires short-range surface-to-air missile for Navy". The New Indian Express. Retrieved 12 September 2024. https://www.newindianexpress.com/nation/2024/Sep/12/india-successfully-test-fires-short-range-surface-to-air-missile-for-navy ↩

  9. "DRDO conducts first launch of the VL-SRSAM". The Week. Retrieved 22 February 2021. https://www.theweek.in/news/india/2021/02/22/drdo-conducts-first-launch-of-vl-srsam.html ↩

  10. "DRDO opens up missile production partnership for Indian private sector". The Times of India. 6 April 2021. Retrieved 6 April 2021. https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/drdo-opens-up-missile-production-partnership-for-indian-private-sector/articleshow/81928553.cms ↩

  11. Rout, Hemant Kumar (23 February 2021). "DRDO conducts successful flight test of VL-SRSAM". The New Indian Express. Retrieved 23 February 2021. https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/odisha/2021/feb/23/drdo-conducts-successful-flight-test-of-vl-srsam-2267748.html ↩

  12. "Bengaluru: 1.2m trisonic wind tunnel at National Aerospace Laboratories completes 55 years of service". ANI. 6 June 2022. Retrieved 22 November 2024. https://www.aninews.in/news/national/general-news/bengaluru-12m-trisonic-wind-tunnel-at-national-aerospace-laboratories-completes-55-years-of-service20220606001500/ ↩

  13. Bhatia, Aditi (3 September 2024). "DRDO's VL-SRSAM System Set to Enhance IAF's Air Defense Capabilities". PUNE.NEWS. Retrieved 5 September 2024. https://pune.news/defence/drdos-vl-srsam-system-set-to-enhance-iafs-air-defense-capabilities-224641/ ↩

  14. "How DRDO's 8×2 Truck-Mounted System for VL-SRSAM will Boost IAF's Defence Against Low Altitude Aerial Threats". Defence.in. 4 September 2024. Retrieved 5 September 2024. https://defence.in/threads/how-drdos-8-2-truck-mounted-system-for-vl-srsam-will-boost-iafs-defence-against-low-altitude-aerial-threats.9690/ ↩

  15. "Successful Launches of VL-SRSAM Missile System" (Press release). PIB. 22 February 2021. https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1700039 ↩

  16. "Successful Flight Test of Vertical Launch Short Range Surface to Air Missile" (Press release). PIB. 7 December 2021. https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1778966 ↩

  17. "India successfully test-fires VL-SRSAM from Indian Naval Ship off Odisha coast: DRDO" (Press release). Times Now. 24 June 2022. https://www.timesnownews.com/india/india-successfully-test-fires-vl-srsam-from-indian-naval-ship-off-odisha-coast-drdo-article-92432165 ↩

  18. "DRDO & Indian Navy successfully flight-test Vertical Launch Short Range Surface-to-Air Missile off Odisha coast". pib.gov.in. Retrieved 23 August 2022. https://pib.gov.in/pib.gov.in/Pressreleaseshare.aspx?PRID=1853841 ↩

  19. "MINISTRY OF DEFENCE - YEAR END REVIEW 2023". Press Information Bureau. 22 December 2023. Retrieved 24 December 2023. https://pib.gov.in/PressReleaseIframePage.aspx?PRID=1989502 ↩

  20. "DRDO & Indian Navy successfully flight test Vertical Launch Short Range Surface-to-Air Missile off Odisha coast". Press Information Bureau. Ministry of Defence. 12 September 2024. Retrieved 12 September 2024. https://pib.gov.in/PressReleaseIframePage.aspx?PRID=2054307 ↩

  21. Rout, Hemant Kumar (12 September 2024). "India successfully test-fires short-range surface-to-air missile for Navy". The New Indian Express. Retrieved 12 September 2024. https://www.newindianexpress.com/nation/2024/Sep/12/india-successfully-test-fires-short-range-surface-to-air-missile-for-navy ↩

  22. "DRDO & Indian Navy achieve back-to-back success with 2nd consecutive flight test of VLSRSAM off Odisha coast". Press Information Bureau. Ministry of Defence. 13 September 2024. Retrieved 13 September 2024. https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2054488 ↩

  23. Bharatshakti, Team (13 September 2024). "DRDO's VLSRSAM Project Achieves Second Consecutive Flight Test Success". Bharat Shakti. Retrieved 13 September 2024. https://bharatshakti.in/drdos-vlsrsam-project-achieves-second-consecutive-flight-test-success/ ↩

  24. @DRDO_India (13 September 2024). "DRDO & Indian Navy scores back-to-back Successfully Flight Tests of Vertical Launch Short Range Surface to Air Missile (VLSRSAM) on 12 & 13th Sep 2024..." (Tweet). Retrieved 13 September 2024 – via Twitter. https://x.com/DRDO_India/status/1834509978356351436 ↩

  25. "DRDO & Indian Navy successfully flight-test indigenously-developed Vertically-Launched Short-Range Surface-to-Air Missile". Press Information Bureau. Ministry of Defence, Government of India. 26 March 2025. Retrieved 27 March 2025. https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2115509 ↩

  26. Menon, Adithya Krishna (31 March 2025). "India Tests New VLSRSAM - Vertically-Launched Short-Range Surface-to-Air Missile System". Naval News. Retrieved 31 March 2025. https://www.navalnews.com/naval-news/2025/03/india-tests-new-vlsrsam-vertically-launched-short-range-surface-to-air-missile-system/ ↩