Watch: India Conducts Historic First Salvo Launch Of Indigenous Naval Anti-Ship Missile

The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and the Indian Navy successfully carried out the maiden salvo launch of the Naval Anti-Ship Missile Short Range (NASM-SR).

The test was conducted off the Odisha coast in the Bay of Bengal, where two missiles were fired in quick succession from a Sea King helicopter.

This is the first time an indigenous air-launched anti-ship missile system has demonstrated salvo launch capability from a helicopter platform.

Officials said all test objectives were met. Data from the launch was recorded through radar, electro-optical systems and telemetry deployed at the Integrated Test Range in Chandipur.

The missiles also demonstrated the ability to hit targets at the waterline, which is important for causing damage to a ship’s structure.

The NASM-SR is India’s first indigenous helicopter-launched anti-ship missile and is being developed to replace the ageing Sea Eagle missile currently used on Sea King helicopters.

It is also planned to be integrated with platforms such as the MH-60R Seahawk and the HAL Dhruv Advanced Light Helicopter.

The missile uses a solid propulsion system with a booster and a long-burn sustainer. It has a strike range of around 55 km and follows a subsonic sea-skimming path, flying close to the surface to avoid detection.

The @DRDO_India & Indian Navy successfully jointly conducted the maiden Salvo launch of Naval Anti-ship Missile-Short Range (NASM-SR) from Indian Navy’s helicopter platform, off the coast of Bay of Bengal in Odisha.

Raksha Mantri Shri @rajnathsingh complimented DRDO, Indian… pic.twitter.com/oPmiyAOZlG

— रक्षा मंत्री कार्यालय/ RMO India (@DefenceMinIndia) April 29, 2026

Several key systems have been developed within India. These include an imaging infrared seeker, fibre-optic gyroscope-based inertial navigation system, radio altimeter, integrated avionics, electro-mechanical actuators, jet vane control and a high-bandwidth two-way data link.

This allows lock-on-after-launch and also enables the missile to be retargeted during flight.

The missile has been developed mainly by the Research Centre Imarat in Hyderabad, along with other DRDO laboratories such as the Defence Research and Development Laboratory, High Energy Materials Research Laboratory, and the Terminal Ballistics Research Laboratory, as well as the ITR Chandipur.

Under the Development-cum-Production Partner model, Adani Defence and Aerospace is the main production partner, supported by Indian industries, including MSMEs and start-ups supplying different components.

The test was witnessed by senior DRDO scientists, along with representatives from the Indian Navy and the Indian Air Force.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh congratulated DRDO, the armed forces and industry partners for the successful test, stating that the missile will strengthen the capabilities of the defence forces.

DRDO Chairman Samir V Kamat also congratulated the teams involved in the project.

The successful trial confirms India’s progress in developing an indigenous helicopter-launched anti-ship missile system for future naval operations.

Reference: PIB