Why in News:

• The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and the Indian Navy successfully flight tested the indigenously developed Vertical Launch Short Range Surface-to-Air Missile (VL-SRSAM) from the Integrated Test Range (ITR), Chandipur off the coast of Odisha.

About

• The VL-SRSAM, a ship-borne weapon system, is meant for neutralising various aerial threats at close ranges including sea-skimming targets.
• VL-SRSAM was indigenously developed and designed by DRDO
• Once deployed, the VL-SRSAM system will prove to be a force multiplier for the Navy.
• The missiles feature the mid-course inertial guidance along with the terminal active radar homing. It will replace the older Barak-1 surface to air missile system.
• It will be used as a short-range air defence system in the Indian navy and Indian Air Force. Missiles have been developed from 2006 pre-design of Astra Mark 1 consisting of four short-span long-chord wings.
• But it also comprises additional jet vane driven thrust vector control that enables the quick reaction vertical launch. The missile has a 360° interception capability.

https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/drdo-indian-navy-test-fire-indigenous-vertical-launch-short-range-sam/article65801480.ece