The Indian Navy and the defence research and Development Organisation (DRDO) have successfully conducted the first salvo firing of the Naval Anti-Ship Missile–Short Range (NASM-SR). The test was carried out from the Navy’s Sea King helicopter off the Odisha coast in the Bay of Bengal.During the trial, the helicopter fired two NASM-SR missiles in quick succession, demonstrating the system’s salvo launch capability, which reduces a target vessel’s ability to defend against multiple incoming threats.The objectives of the NASM-SR salvo launch test were fully met, as confirmed by telemetry data captured by tracking instruments. The data was recorded using radar and electro-optical systems deployed at the Integrated Test Range. The missiles successfully demonstrated their capability to strike at the waterline — a critical point where a ship is most vulnerable to flooding and sinking.The test was witnessed by representatives from the Navy and the Air Force, as well as scientists from DRDO and Adani Aerospace & Defence, the Development-cum-Production Partner (DcPP).The NASM-SR is a fire-and-forget missile, meaning that once it is locked onto a target and launched, it can guide itself autonomously. It also has the capability to lock onto a target after launch. The missile carries a 100 kg warhead and has a range of 55 km. It can fly at very low altitudes over the sea at high subsonic speeds, delaying detection by enemy warships and reducing their response time.The missile features a long-burn sustainer, allowing it to remain powered for a longer duration compared to similar systems, which spend more time in the glide phase.Critical systems, including the seeker, navigation, guidance, avionics data link with the launch platform, and jet vane control, have been developed by DRDO in collaboration with domestic industry.The DRDO and the Navy are also working on a more powerful and longer-range variant, the Naval Anti-Ship Missile–Medium Range (NASM-MR). The system was prominently showcased on the Navy’s MiG-29K at Aero India 2025.
