India’s Defence Research & Development Organisation (DRDO) and Indian Navy have successfully conducted the maiden salvo launch of Naval Anti-ship Missile-Short Range (NASM-SR) on April 29. The missiles were launched from the Navy’s Sea King Mk.42B helicopter off the coast of Bay of Bengal.
During the trial, two missiles were launched in quick succession from the same helicopter. All test objectives were fully met, with the missiles also demonstrating its waterline hit capability.
NASM-SR weighs 375 kg and is 3.6 meter long. It is propelled by a solid rocket booster with a stated maximum range of 55 km. The missile features a terminal IIR seeker. An omni-directional multi-EFP warhead weighing 100 kg has been developed by DRDO for the missile. Apollo Microsystems received transfer of technology for the production of the warhead in August 2025 .
The missile was first tested in May 2022. Seeker guided flight trials of NASM-SR were successfully conducted in November 2023, demonstrating lock-on after launch capability. A flight test in February 2025 proved the missile’s man-in-loop capability.
The missiles were produced by Adani Defence & Aerospace, which is a Development-cum-Production Partner (DcPP) for the NASM-SR program. Approval for eventual procurement of the missile was granted in December 2022.
The NASM-SR is the shortest range anti-ship missile under development. DRDO NASM-MR under the Medium Range Anti-Ship Missiles (MRAShM) project, as well as missiles under Navy’s Glidefire project, will complement the BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles currently used by the Navy’s frontline warships.
Other than in-service and upcoming naval helicopters, NASM-SR is also expected to be integrated with the C-295 MRMR and the General Atomics MQ-9B once they enter service with the Indian Navy.
A press release stated that “Users’ representatives from the Indian Navy and the Indian Air Force” witnessed the test launches, indicating IAF interest in the program. This may be related to a requirement from the TPCR 2025, in which IAF projected the need for an air to surface missile with a range of 75-100 km, man-in-loop feature and TV / IIR seeker capable of being fitted onto tactical fighter class aircraft. Such a missile was stated to be under development by DRDO in the document and closely matches the features of NASM-SR. The IAF utilizes the Israeli Crystal Maze missiles for this requirement.
