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VL-SRSAM

The VL-SRSAM (Vertically-Launched Short-Range Surface-to-Air Missile) is an indigenously developed quick-reaction surface-to-air missile system designed by India's Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) in collaboration with the Indian Navy to neutralize a wide array of aerial threats, including sea-skimming missiles, fighter aircraft, and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), at close ranges and low altitudes. It features a solid-propellant rocket motor enabling speeds up to Mach 4.5 and an operational ceiling of 16 km, with a maximum engagement range of 80 km, providing both point and area defense capabilities through high maneuverability and an indigenous radio-frequency seeker. Originally conceived as a shipborne weapon to enhance naval air defense, the VL-SRSAM is a surface-launched derivative of the DRDO's Mk1 beyond-visual-range , incorporating upgrades such as a multi-function (AESA) with detection ranges exceeding 200 km and a proximity fuse for reliable target interception. Development began in the early , with initial flight trials in 2021 facing challenges with the RF seeker that were resolved by 2024 through iterative testing, culminating in successful user trials in September 2024 and March 2025 from the Integrated Test Range in , where it demonstrated pinpoint accuracy against high-speed, low-altitude targets in combat-like configurations. As the first fully indigenous vertically launched missile system for the , the VL-SRSAM is slated for integration into next-generation missile vessels and other surface combatants from 2030 to replace the Barak-1 system, marking a significant advancement in India's self-reliance in defense technology under the initiative. Recent developments include a truck-mounted variant for the to protect air bases, with initial trials conducted in 2025 and further tests ongoing as of November 2025, expanding its role beyond maritime applications to ground-based rapid deployment scenarios.

Development

Background and Requirements

In the post-1990s era, the Indian Navy faced growing vulnerabilities in its air defense architecture, particularly against low-altitude incursions and sea-skimming anti-ship missiles, which could evade traditional radar detection and threaten surface combatants during maritime operations. These threats became more pronounced amid regional tensions and the proliferation of advanced cruise missiles, prompting the acquisition of the Israeli Barak 1 point-defense system in the early 2000s to provide close-in protection for warships. However, as the Barak 1 aged and maintenance challenges arose, the Navy sought a modern, indigenous replacement to enhance operational autonomy and address evolving aerial risks, including unmanned aerial vehicles and high-speed sea-skimming targets. The VL-SRSAM program was conceived to fulfill specific requirements for a vertical-launch short-range system, offering an engagement range of up to 80 km, rapid reaction times, and all-weather performance to neutralize diverse aerial threats at close ranges. This system was designed to integrate seamlessly with naval vertical launch systems, providing 360-degree coverage and superior maneuverability against low-flying, evasive targets compared to legacy horizontal-launch alternatives. Key performance mandates included high-speed propulsion for quick intercepts and advanced guidance for precision in cluttered maritime environments, ensuring robust defense for destroyers, frigates, and aircraft carriers. Initiated by the (DRDO) in close collaboration with the during the early 2010s, the program aligned with India's broader push for defense self-reliance under initiatives like , reducing dependence on foreign suppliers for critical naval weaponry. DRDO served as the lead developer, leveraging expertise from its laboratories in and , while (BDL) was designated for serial production to scale up manufacturing capabilities. The effort drew briefly on adaptations from the MkI beyond-visual-range technology to accelerate progress toward an indigenous solution.

Program Timeline

The development of the VL-SRSAM represents a key indigenous effort by the (DRDO) in collaboration with the to create a vertically launched short-range system capable of neutralizing aerial threats at close ranges, intended to replace legacy systems like the Barak 1. The program's early milestones focused on validating core technologies derived from the Mk1 . Prototype development progressed to the point where the first flight tests occurred on 22 February 2021, with two successful launches from a static launcher at the Integrated Test Range (ITR) in , demonstrating the efficacy of the vertical launch system, RF seeker guidance, and propulsion subsystems. These trials addressed initial integration challenges with the vertical launch configuration, paving the way for subsequent naval adaptations. Further advancements came in December 2021, when DRDO conducted a successful from a ground-based vertical launcher at ITR, Chandipur, engaging a high-speed aerial target and confirming the missile's interception capabilities under realistic conditions. By 2022, prototype integration with naval platforms was tested, including a ship-launched flight on 24 June 2022 from an Indian Naval Ship at ITR, where the VL-SRSAM successfully tracked and destroyed a high-speed aerial target mimicking an . An additional ship-based test on 23 2022 validated enhanced vertical launch operations against an unmanned aerial target. The joint DRDO-Indian Navy collaboration was formalized through intensified testing phases in 2024, culminating in back-to-back successful launches on 12 and 13 September from ITR, Chandipur, which incorporated updated weapon system elements and resolved lingering integration issues with vertical launch systems on warships. These efforts overcame earlier related to seamless adaptation of the Astra-derived components to naval vertical launchers, achieving full resolution by mid-2025. A pivotal recent update was the announcement of a successful on 26 March 2025, conducted jointly by DRDO and the from a land-based vertical platform at a test facility off the Odisha coast, where the missile intercepted a high-speed aerial target at very close range and low altitude, affirming its near-boundary role. This milestone underscores the program's maturity as of late 2025, advancing toward production and deployment. In parallel, DRDO is developing a truck-mounted variant of the VL-SRSAM for the Indian Air Force to provide mobile air defense for air bases, featuring an 8x2 high-mobility truck platform with command-and-control units and 4-6 firing units. As of July 2025, fabrication is complete, with initial trials anticipated in late 2025 or early 2026.

Design

Missile Configuration

The VL-SRSAM missile features a compact design tailored for naval deployment, with a length of 3,931 mm, a diameter of 178 mm, and a total weight of 170 kg. These dimensions enable efficient storage within shipboard launchers while maintaining structural integrity under high-g acceleration. The employs a single-stage, solid-fueled motor equipped with smokeless , which minimizes visual and signatures for enhanced survivability during launch. This configuration supports rapid acceleration to supersonic speeds, contributing to the system's quick-reaction capability against aerial threats. Its aerodynamic design incorporates a highly agile derived from the MkI , featuring four short-span, long-chord wings for stability and maneuverability. This structure is specifically optimized for vertical launch from naval canisters, allowing the to execute high-angle departures and precise trajectory adjustments post-ignition. For integration, the VL-SRSAM is compatible with vertical launch systems (VLS) on warships, utilizing 8-cell modules in a quad-pack canister arrangement that enables hot-launch operations without cold-gas assistance. This setup facilitates seamless incorporation into existing fleet platforms, supporting salvo firing for layered air defense.

Guidance and Propulsion

The VL-SRSAM is propelled by a single-stage solid motor, which delivers the required for an operational range of up to 80 km while optimizing terminal phase kinematics for effective . The motor utilizes smokeless to reduce the missile's , thereby improving its against infrared-seeking threats during flight. This propulsion configuration ensures reliable boost and sustain phases, enabling the missile to achieve speeds exceeding 4 in a compact . The guidance mechanism integrates mid-course inertial navigation via a with real-time command updates transmitted through a from the host ship's , providing precise trajectory corrections. In the terminal phase, the system shifts to for autonomous and engagement, supporting both lock-on-before-launch and lock-on-after-launch modes to adapt to dynamic threat scenarios. This hybrid approach enhances accuracy against maneuvering targets at close ranges. Key operational features include all-weather functionality, allowing intercepts in adverse environmental conditions, and robust resistance to electronic countermeasures through advanced electronic counter-countermeasure (ECCM) technology. The missile's highly agile configuration permits intense maneuvers to pursue evasive threats like drones and incoming missiles, ensuring reliable hit-to-kill performance. Additionally, the vertical launch profile facilitates omnidirectional coverage, enabling rapid response to threats from any without constraints. Designed primarily for low-altitude engagements, the VL-SRSAM excels at neutralizing sea-skimming anti-ship missiles and other or supersonic threats approaching naval assets at near-sea level. Its interception profile emphasizes quick-reaction capability, with the combined propulsion and guidance systems supporting end-game divert maneuvers to counter agile, low-observable targets effectively.

Testing

Developmental Trials

The developmental trials of the VL-SRSAM began with its test on February 22, 2021, from the Integrated Test Range (ITR) in , followed by additional tests on December 7, 2021, June 24, 2022, and August 23, 2022, which validated initial flight performance and interception capabilities against aerial targets. A further test occurred in July 2023 at the ITR. Ground-based launcher tests were conducted in 2023 at (DRDO) facilities, which successfully validated the vertical hot-launch mechanics. These tests focused on the missile's compatibility with the vertical launch system, confirming reliable ignition and exhaust management under static conditions. In September 2024, DRDO and the conducted back-to-back flight tests from the ITR in . These trials validated , , and the updated radio-frequency seeker and proximity against low-altitude, high-speed targets simulating sea-skimming threats. The trials culminated in key outcomes, including confirmation of the smokeless propulsion system's performance and reliable basic guidance lock-on capabilities. Early integration challenges with the vertical launch system, such as alignment and sealing issues, were effectively resolved through iterative adjustments during these phases.

Performance Evaluations

Performance evaluations of the VL-SRSAM in 2025 focused on validating its operational effectiveness through live-fire tests under realistic naval scenarios, emphasizing interception capabilities against dynamic threats. On March 26, 2025, the (DRDO) and the conducted a successful of the missile from an ship targeting a high-speed aerial target at the Integrated Test Range (ITR) in . This live-fire trial demonstrated the missile's ability to achieve successful interception at very close range against low-altitude, maneuvering targets. Key evaluation metrics highlighted the VL-SRSAM's quick-reaction time, enabling engagement within seconds of detection, and its precision in neutralizing agile threats. The guidance system proved instrumental in these intercepts, ensuring accurate terminal-phase tracking. Joint DRDO-Indian Navy assessments throughout 2025 confirmed the missile's maximum engagement range of 80 km and its potential for multi-target engagements in fleet defense operations. Reliability was underscored by 100% success across the conducted 2025 trials, with post-test analyses affirming the efficacy of the radar seeker in diverse conditions. These evaluations established the VL-SRSAM's readiness for high-stakes naval air defense, showcasing consistent performance in quick-response and precision interception roles.

Deployment

Indian Navy Integration

The VL-SRSAM is being integrated into key Indian Navy surface combatants, replacing the aging Barak-1 missile system on applicable older vessels such as Delhi-class destroyers and Shivalik-class frigates, with initial inductions planned to commence in 2030. It will also be incorporated as a short-range air defense layer on newer platforms, including the Project 15B Visakhapatnam-class destroyers, such as INS Visakhapatnam and INS Surat, and future frigates, notably the Nilgiri-class under Project 17A, to bolster fleet-wide protection against low-flying threats. The system's architecture features compact eight-missile vertical launch system (VLS) modules, configured in canister-based units compatible with existing shipboard infrastructure for 360-degree coverage. These VLS modules are interfaced with the EL/M-2248 MF-STAR active phased-array radar or equivalent systems aboard host vessels, enabling during the mid-course phase followed by in the terminal stage for precise interception of sea-skimming and high-speed targets. Initial operator training for crews emphasizes integration into layered air defense operations, with user trials scheduled aboard vessels like INS Surat starting post-2026 to familiarize personnel with launch procedures and data . Doctrine positions the VL-SRSAM as the innermost tier in a multi-layered network, complementing medium-range Barak-8 missiles for coordinated engagements against asymmetric threats such as drones and cruise missiles. Operational readiness milestones target first squadron-level deployment by 2030, aligning with the completion of production certifications and shipboard modifications to achieve full-spectrum efficacy across 20-25 warships by 2035. This integration will significantly improve response times to low-altitude incursions, leveraging the missile's compact design for seamless compatibility with existing deck space and power systems.

Production and Future Plans

Following the successful flight tests of the VL-SRSAM in March 2025, which validated its performance and paved the way for production, (BDL) has been designated as the primary manufacturer for the missile system. Production arrangements with BDL include plans to scale output rapidly, targeting an annual production rate of over 200 missiles by 2028 to meet requirements. While specific contract details for an initial 2025 batch of 200 units remain under as of late 2025, full-rate is projected to commence by 2027, supporting broader efforts. The estimated is kept under $1 million to ensure affordability for large-scale , with ambitions to deliver more than 500 units by 2035 for equipping over 10 warships. Looking ahead, studies for a Mk2 variant are in the early phase post-2025, incorporating an extended range of 100 km and advanced seeker technologies to enhance capabilities against evolving threats. Additionally, a land-based truck-mounted variant with a 50 km range is slated for trials in late 2025 or early 2026, expanding the system's versatility beyond naval platforms. In terms of exports, the VL-SRSAM was evaluated for markets in 2025, with interest from friendly nations seeking cost-effective, alternatives to foreign short-range surface-to-air missiles.

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