Successful testing of indigenous anti-ship missile highlights Indian Navy’s commitment towards self-reliance in missile technology, observes GlobalData

19 May 2022
Successful testing of indigenous anti-ship missile highlights Indian Navy's commitment towards self-reliance in missile technology, observes GlobalData

Posted in Aerospace, Defense & Security

Following the news that the Indian Navy successfully test-fired an indigenously developed anti-ship missile;

Aamir C, Defence Analyst at GlobalData, a leading data and analytics company, offers his view:

"Indian Navy has conducted the maiden test-firing of its first indigenously developed anti-ship missile. The successful testing of the missile is certainly a step forward towards India's focus on self-reliance and commitment on indigenization of defense technology. Plans for developing India's first indigenous anti-ship missile surfaced in 2018 after a list of DRDO's new projects was made public which were in the technology demonstration phase. The schematics of the NASM-SR were later unveiled in 2020.The new weapon is set to replace the UK-built Sea Eagle anti-ship missiles which were acquired in the late 1980's.

"The NASM-SR was test-fired from the Indian Navy's Sea King helicopter off the coast of Odisha, India. The missile followed its set trajectory and effectively neutralized the target.

"The new anti-ship weapon has a range of 55 km and can carry a payload of upto 100 kg making it capable of destroying small and medium warships. The weapon also boasts the sea skimming capability and lofted trajectory modes. The missile is armed with advanced sensors and radio measuring systems that can determine the weapon's position towards the sea surface through a guidance mechanism and control loop. It is also equipped with a Command Guidance sensor system which would allow the operator to update information to the missile after launch about any target movements or even abort the strike altogether.

"With the Indian Navy set to acquire 24 MH-60 Romeo helicopters from Lockheed Martin, equipped with anti-ship missiles, it is expected that the NASM-SR will complement the limited number of Naval Strike Missiles (NSM-HL) which are being acquired from Norwegian company Kongsberg. The NSM-HL missile has a longer range than the NASM-SR of 185 km with a 125 kg warhead and India has no indigenous alternative in this segment currently.

"The development of NASM-SR signals the evolution of more advanced variants with increased range and lethality. Moreover, Pakistan is looking to replenish its naval vessels fleet with the induction of PNS Tughril and Hangor-class submarine which is a modified variant of the Chinese Type 039B. In the light of these new military inclusions, the Indian Navy will continue to upgrade its anti-ship capabilities to counter advances in the naval fleet of adversaries and to secure its interests in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR).

"DRDO is looking towards developing two more variants with increased capabilities namely the NASM-MR (Medium Range) & NASM-LR (Long Range). However, ideally, these two new variants would involve keeping the weight of the missiles around 400 kg to ensure maximum flight range of the helicopters. This would involve DRDO furthering the propulsion technology system onboard the NASM missile."