Naval Anti-Ship Missile–Short Range
Why in News?
The Naval Anti-Ship Missile–Short Range (NASM-SR) is recently in the news after the DRDO and Indian Navy successfully conducted its maiden salvo launch on April 29, 2026.
Technical Features
- Type: Subsonic, air-launched anti-ship cruise missile.
- Weight: Approximately 380 kg.
- Warhead: Carries a 100 kg high-explosive warhead designed to destroy small to medium vessels (patrol boats, corvettes) or cripple larger ones.
- Range: Effective strike range of 5 km to 55 km.
- Guidance: Uses an Imaging Infra-Red (IIR) seeker, making it impervious to radar jamming.
- Flight Profile: Features sea-skimming capability, flying as low as 5 metres above the sea surface to evade enemy radar.
Operational Capabilities
- Fire-and-Forget: Once launched, the missile tracks the target autonomously.
- Man-in-Loop (MIL): Operators can retarget the missile in-flight via a two-way datalink, allowing for precision corrections even after launch.
- Launch Platforms: Primarily designed for Naval Helicopters (like the Sea King and future MH-60R or IMRH), but adaptable for small ships and land-based launchers.
Development & Production
- Designer: Developed by Research Centre Imarat (RCI), Hyderabad, in collaboration with other DRDO labs.
- Strategic Goal: Designed to replace the ageing British-origin Sea Eagle missiles.
- Partners: Manufactured with support from Indian industry partners like Adani Defence & Aerospace and various MSMEs.
Strategic Significance
- Force Multiplier: Enhances the Navy's "sea-denial" capabilities, allowing helicopters to neutralize threats without requiring a larger warship to be nearby.
- Cost Efficiency: Provides a high-tech indigenous alternative to expensive foreign systems like the Marte ER or Sea Venom.
- Future Growth: DRDO is already working on an Extended Range (NASM-ER) variant with a range of over 150 km for fighter jets.
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