^{Maiden launch of the Very Short Range Air Defence System (VSHORADS)}

India to Soon Begin Indigenous Air Defence Shield's User Trials

India is gearing up to commence "user trials" for its own man-portable air defense missile system, aimed at eliminating hostile aircraft, drones, and helicopters at extremely close ranges. This move comes as the armed forces are in the process of incorporating a limited quantity of comparable Russian systems to address operational needs amidst the ongoing military standoff with China in eastern Ladakh.

The Very Short Range Air Defence System (VSHORADS), developed by DRDO (Defence Research and Development Organization), is designed to counter low-altitude aerial threats within a range of up to 6 kilometers. According to government sources, the system is slated to undergo user trials for armed forces' evaluation by April-May. It has been described as technically superior to the existing MANPADS (man-portable air defense systems) in India's armed forces.

The VSHORADS has undergone successful developmental tests to confirm its upper-range capability. However, additional tests are required to verify its effectiveness at distances less than 1 kilometer, where precise maneuvering and missile control are crucial aspects to validate.