VSHORADS (Very Short-Range Air Defence System) is a fourth-generation, man-portable air-defence missile system (MANPAD) developed indigenously by DRDO’s Research Centre Imarat (RCI) in collaboration with other DRDO laboratories and Indian industry partners, designed to give infantry and forward troops an organic, shoulder-fired defence against low-flying aerial threats.[1]
VSHORADS weighs approximately 20.5 kg and measures 2.00 m in length with a 90 mm diameter, propelled by a dual-thrust solid rocket motor. The missile incorporates a miniaturised Reaction Control System (RCS) and integrated avionics to enhance mid-air manoeuvrability against fast, low-altitude targets, guided by a state-of-the-art uncooled infrared imaging seeker for high-precision terminal homing. The launcher and missile package have been optimised for portability, keeping the overall system light enough for infantry troops to carry and operate in the field.[1][2]
VSHORADS provides an engagement range of roughly 250 m to 6 km, a maximum interception altitude of about 3,500 m, and a top speed of around Mach 1.5, positioning it to counter low-flying helicopters, fixed-wing aircraft and drones at very short range.[1]
DRDO completed development of VSHORADS on 5 October 2024 following a series of successful developmental flight trials off the Odisha coast, including repeated successive trials validating consistent performance. The Indian Army is expected to place an initial order for roughly 500 launchers and 3,000 missiles, positioning VSHORADS to replace older imported MANPAD systems in Indian Army and IAF ground-based air-defence units.[1][3]
| Type | Man-portable air-defence system (MANPAD) |
| Developer | Research Centre Imarat (RCI), DRDO |
| Weight / Length / Diameter | 20.5 kg / 2.00 m / 90 mm |
| Range | 250 m – 6 km |
| Max altitude | ~3,500 m |
| Max speed | ~Mach 1.5 |
| Seeker | Uncooled infrared imaging |
| Development completed | 5 October 2024 |
| Planned procurement | ~500 launchers, ~3,000 missiles |
| User | Indian Army (planned) |