What happened?
On 25 February 2025, the Defence Research & Development Organisation (DRDO) and the Indian Navy successfully conducted flight trials of the Naval Anti-Ship Missile (NASM-SR) at the Integrated Test Range in Chandipur. Launched from an Indian Naval Sea King helicopter, the missile demonstrated its “Man-in-Loop” capability, allowing in-flight retargeting. It uses an indigenous Imaging Infra-Red Seeker for terminal guidance and successfully hit a small ship target in sea-skimming mode.
Why it matters to India:
The successful trial of NASM-SR enhances India’s naval warfare capabilities and strengthens defence self-reliance under the ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’ initiative. The missile’s ability to retarget mid-flight improves operational flexibility in combat. Developed with contributions from MSMEs and startups, this achievement highlights India’s growing domestic defence ecosystem, reducing reliance on foreign technology.