Naval Anti-Ship Missile Short Range (NASM-SR)

Nov. 22, 2023

The Indian Navy, in association with DRDO, successfully undertook Guided Flight Trials of the first indigenously developed Naval Anti-Ship Missile Short Range (NASM-SR) from a Sea King 42B helicopter recently.

About Naval Anti-Ship Missile Short Range (NASM-SR):

It is the first indigenous air-launched anti-ship cruise missile developed for the Indian Navy.
It was developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO).
It can be launched from attack helicopters.
This missile will replace the Sea Eagle missiles, which are currently in use with the Navy.
With the Sea King helicopters also being phased out, it is expected that the NASM-SR will be used with the new MH-60R multi-role helicopters, which are being inducted into the Navy.
Features:
- The missile’s new guidance system includes a state-of-the-art navigation system and integrated avionics.
- It employs several new technologies, including an indigenously developed launcher for the helicopter.
- With a strike range of around 60 km, the air-launched anti-ship missile can travel at a speed of Mach 0.8 (slower than the speed of sound).
- It would have an imaging infrared seeker, which would home in on the heat emissions of its targets.
- It can have a warhead of 100kg and is capable of sinking patrol boats and damaging larger warships.
- The NASM-SR, on approach to its target, can cruise at just 5 metres above sea level, making it difficult for enemy radars to detect, track, and shoot down with surface-to-air missiles or guns. This low-level capability of anti-ship missiles is known as sea skimming.