Balasore, December 7: India Tuesday successfully flight tested the indigenously developed new Vertical Launch Short Range Surface-to-Air Missile from Odisha coast here, Defence Reserach and Development Organisation (DRDO) said.

The DRDO-developed quick reaction surface-to-air-missile was test launched from the Integrated Test Range at Chandipur near here at about 3.08 pm, an official of the organisation said. Also Read | Madhya Pradesh Shocker: 16-Year-Old Girl Raped By Sister’s Brother-In-Law In Bhopal; Case Registered Under POCSO Act.

To monitor the missile's trajectories number of tracking instruments were used. The missile has an operational range of 50 to km distance and features mid course inertial guidance through fiber optic gyroscope and active radar homing in terminal phase, he said. Also Read | India vs South Africa 2021-22 Schedule for Free PDF Download Online: Get Fixtures, Live Streaming, Broadcast in India, Time Table With Match Timings in IST and Venue Details of India's Tour of South Africa.

The DRDO in its official twitter post said, "Vertical Launch Short Range Surface to Air Missile for @IndianNavy was flight tested from ITR Chandipur. The missile was tested against an electronic target at a low altitude. The weapon is planned for integration onboard naval ships."

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh congratulated DRDO, Indian Navy and industry for the successful flight test of VLSRSTA and said the system will enhance the defence capability of Indian naval ships against aerial threat, RMO (defence minister) India said in its official twitter post.

Ahead of the test firing of the tactical missile on Tuesday, Balasore district administration as a safety measure temporarily shifted more than 4,500 people residing within 2.5 km radius of launch pad number 3 of the ITR from where the weapon with a dummy pay load was positioned and launched.

A district revenue official said, ”On the request of ITR authority people residing in six hamlets in close proximity to the ITR launch site had to be temporarily shifted to nearby shelter centers with compensation. They will return to their homes after the DRDO gives the green signal for it.”

(The above story is verified and authored by Press Trust of India (PTI) staff. PTI, India’s premier news agency, employs more than 400 journalists and 500 stringers to cover almost every district and small town in India.. The views appearing in the above post do not reflect the opinions of LatestLY)