DRDO & Indian Navy Conduct Maiden Salvo Launch of NASM‑SR Missile – Boosting Indigenous Anti‑Ship Capability

<h2>DRDO & Indian Navy Achieve First Salvo Launch of NASM‑SR</h2> <p>The <span class="key-term" data-definition="Defence Research & Development Organisation — India&#39;s premier agency for research and development in defence technologies (GS3: Security)">DRDO</span> together with the Indian Navy successfully carried out the maiden salvo launch of the <span class="key-term" data-definition="Naval Anti‑ship Missile‑Short Range — An air‑launched, short‑range missile designed to engage enemy ships (GS3: Security)">NASM‑SR</span> from a helicopter platform over the Bay of Bengal, Odisha. Two missiles were fired in rapid succession, marking the first time an advanced air‑launched anti‑ship missile system has demonstrated a salvo capability.</p> <h3>Key Developments</h3> <ul> <li>Two missiles launched from the same helicopter within seconds, proving salvo‑launch feasibility.</li> <li>All test objectives met, with data captured via radar, electro‑optical systems and telemetry from the <span class="key-term" data-definition="Integrated Test Range (ITR) — A coastal range facility that provides tracking, telemetry and range safety for missile tests (GS3: Security)">ITR</span> at Chandipur.</li> <li>Missiles achieved water‑line hit accuracy, confirming effectiveness against surface targets.</li> <li>Senior scientists from <span class="key-term" data-definition="Defence Research &amp; Development Organisation — India&#39;s premier agency for research and development in defence technologies (GS3: Security)">DRDO</span>, Indian Navy, Indian Air Force and Development‑cum‑Production Partners witnessed the trial.</li> </ul> <h3>Important Facts</h3> <p>The <span class="key-term" data-definition="Naval Anti‑ship Missile‑Short Range — An air‑launched, short‑range missile designed to engage enemy ships (GS3: Security)">NASM‑SR</span> employs a solid‑propulsion booster followed by a long‑burn sustainer. Critical subsystems include a seeker, integrated avionics module, advanced navigation and guidance using a fibre‑optic gyroscope‑based <span class="key-term" data-definition="Inertial Navigation System (INS) — A navigation aid using gyroscopes and accelerometers to determine position without external signals; crucial for precision guidance (GS3: Security)">INS</span>, radio‑altimeter, high‑bandwidth two‑way data link and indigenous <span class="key-term" data-definition="Jet‑vane control — A aerodynamic control method using movable vanes at the missile’s exhaust to steer it during flight (GS3: Security)">Jet‑vane control</span>. The missile was developed by the Hyderabad‑based Research Centre Imarat in collaboration with DRDO labs in Hyderabad, Pune, Chandigarh and Chandipur, and is now being produced by Development‑cum‑Production Partners and Indian start‑ups.</p> <h3>UPSC Relevance</h3> <p>For GS‑3 (Security) aspirants, the test underscores India’s push for self‑reliance in defence technology, reducing dependence on foreign missile imports. It also illustrates the role of the <span class="key-term" data-definition="Raksha Mantri — The Minister of Defence, responsible for defence policy and procurement (GS2: Polity)">Raksha Mantri</span>, who praised the achievement, highlighting the government’s emphasis on indigenisation under the ‘Make in India’ drive. Understanding the missile development ecosystem—research labs, production partners, and testing ranges—helps answer questions on defence procurement, technology transfer and strategic autonomy.</p> <h3>Way Forward</h3> <p>Following the successful salvo test, the focus will shift to series production, integration with naval platforms and induction into the fleet. Further trials will validate performance under varied sea‑state conditions and against moving targets. Parallel efforts are expected to enhance the missile’s range, seeker capabilities and data‑link robustness, ensuring that the Indian Navy maintains a credible anti‑ship deterrent in the Indo‑Pacific region.</p>