DRDO, Indian Navy conduct maiden salvo launch of Naval Anti-ship missile

New Delhi: The Defence Research & Development Organisation (DRDO) and the Indian Navy have successfully carried out the maiden salvo launch of the Naval Anti‑ship Missile–Short Range (NASM‑SR) from a Navy helicopter platform off the coast of the Bay of Bengal in Odisha. During the trial, two NASM‑SR missiles were launched in quick succession from the same helicopter, marking the first salvo launch of an advanced air‑launched anti‑ship missile system for the Indian forces.

All test objectives were fully met as per the data captured by various range tracking instruments, including radar, electro‑optical systems, and telemetry deployed by the Integrated Test Range (ITR), Chandipur. The trial not only validated the salvo launch capability but also demonstrated the missile’s ability to achieve a waterline hit on target. 

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The test launches were witnessed by senior scientists from DRDO, user representatives from the Indian Navy and the Indian Air Force, and Development‑cum‑Production Partners (DcPP).

The NASM‑SR uses a solid‑propulsion booster and a long‑burn sustainer. All critical subsystems—such as the seeker, integrated avionics module, advanced navigation and guidance using a fibre‑optic gyroscope‑based Inertial Navigation System and radio‑altimeter, along with advanced control and guidance algorithms, a high‑bandwidth two‑way data link, and jet‑vane control—have been indigenously developed by various DRDO laboratories and Indian industries.

The missile system has been developed by the Hyderabad‑based Research Centre Imarat in collaboration with other DRDO labs, including the Defence Research & Development Laboratory, Hyderabad; High Energy Materials Research Laboratory, Pune; Terminal Ballistics Research Laboratory, Chandigarh; and ITR, Chandipur. Production of the NASM‑SR is currently handled by DcPP, with support from other Indian industries and start‑ups.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has complimented DRDO, the Indian Navy, the Indian Air Force, and the industry, including the DcPP partners, for the successful maiden salvo launch.

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“The development of this missile will further enhance the capabilities of the Defence Forces to a great extent,” Singh said. Secretary, Department of Defence R&D and Chairman DRDO, Dr Samir V Kamat, also congratulated the teams associated with the successful salvo launches.

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