India Tests Naval Anti-Ship Missile

DRDO and the Indian Navy successfully conducted the maiden salvo launch of the Naval Anti-ship Missile-Short Range (NASM-SR) from a Sea King helicopter | Photo: Ministry of Defence

The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and the Indian Navy have conducted the first salvo launch of the Naval Anti-ship Missile–Short Range (NASM-SR) from a helicopter platform off the coast of Odisha in the Bay of Bengal.

During the trial, two missiles were launched in quick succession from the same helicopter. The test was carried out at the Integrated Test Range in Chandipur, where tracking systems including radar, telemetry, and electro-optical sensors were used to monitor performance. According to the Ministry of Defence, the missiles met all test objectives, including demonstrating the ability to strike at the waterline of a target.

The NASM-SR system uses a solid propulsion booster and a long-burn sustainer. It incorporates several subsystems developed within India, including a seeker, integrated avionics, fibre-optic gyroscope-based navigation, radio altimeter, and a two-way data link. Control is supported through jet-vane mechanisms and guidance algorithms.

The missile has been developed by Research Centre Imarat in Hyderabad in collaboration with other DRDO laboratories, including Defence Research and Development Laboratory, High Energy Materials Research Laboratory, Terminal Ballistics Research Laboratory, and the Integrated Test Range at Chandipur. Production is being undertaken by development-cum-production partners along with Indian industry and start-ups.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said, “The development of this missile will further enhance the capabilities of the Defence Forces to a great extent.” The test was witnessed by DRDO scientists and representatives from the Indian Navy and the Indian Air Force.