Defence Research & Development Organisation (DRDO) and Indian Navy, on 29 April 2026, successfully conducted the maiden salvo launch of Naval Anti-ship Missile-Short Range (NASM-SR) from the Navy’s helicopter platform off the coast of Bay of Bengal in Odisha. During the trial, two missiles were launched in quick succession from the same helicopter, making it the first salvo launch of an advanced air launched anti-ship missile system.
All test objectives were fully met as per the data captured using various range tracking instruments like radar, electro-optical system and telemetry deployed by the Integrated Test Range (ITR), Chandipur. Along with proving the salvo launch capability, the missiles demonstrated the waterline hit capability. The test launches were witnessed by senior scientists from DRDO, Users’ representatives from the Indian Navy and the Indian Air Force and Development-cum-Production Partners (DcPP).
The NASM-SR missile uses a solid propulsion booster and long burn sustainer. All critical subsystems like the seeker, integrated avionics module, advanced navigation and guidance using fibre-optic gyroscope based Inertial Navigation System and radio-altimeter along with advanced control and guidance algorithm, high bandwidth two- way data link and jet vane control developed indigenously by different laboratories of DRDO and Indian Industries.
The missile system has been developed by Hyderabad-based Research Centre Imarat in collaboration with other DRDO laboratories namely Defence Research & Development Laboratory, Hyderabad; High Energy Materials Research Laboratory, Pune; Terminal Ballistics Research Laboratory, Chandigarh & ITR Chandipur. The missiles are currently being produced by DcPP with help from other Indian industries and start-ups.
Raksha Mantri Mr. Rajnath Singh complimented DRDO, Indian Navy, Indian Air Force and the industry, including the DcPP partners, for the successful maiden salvo launch. The development of this missile will further enhance the capabilities of the Defence Forces to a great extent, he said.