DRDO And Navy Achieve First-Ever Salvo Test – Is India’s Maritime Strike Power Entering A New Era?

The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and the Indian Navy carried out the maiden salvo launch of NASM-SR missiles from a naval helicopter in the Bay of Bengal. Two missiles were fired in quick succession, validating the system’s ability to overwhelm enemy defences and strike critical waterline targets. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh congratulated the teams, calling it a landmark in India’s self-reliance in advanced defence technologies. 

Technical Details Of NASM-SR

The NASM-SR is a fire-and-forget missile with a range of 55 km and a 100 kg warhead. It flies at high subsonic speeds and very low altitudes, making detection difficult for enemy warships. The missile demonstrated waterline hit capability, a critical strike point that maximizes damage by causing flooding. Key subsystems such as the seeker, fibre-optic gyroscope-based inertial navigation system, radio altimeter, and jet-vane control have been developed indigenously by DRDO labs in Hyderabad, Pune, Chandigarh, and Chandipur. 

Strategic Significance

The salvo launch capability ensures that multiple missiles can be fired in rapid succession, reducing the chances of interception by enemy defence systems. This strengthens India’s naval strike power, particularly in contested waters. The NASM-SR is expected to be inducted soon, while work is underway on a longer-range variant, NASM-MR, which will extend India’s maritime reach. 

Industry Collaboration

The missile development involved Adani Aerospace & Defence as a Development-cum-Production Partner, alongside several Indian industries and start-ups. This reflects India’s growing ecosystem of indigenous defence innovation and aligns with the government’s Atmanirbhar Bharat vision for self-reliance in critical technologies. 

Key Highlights

• First salvo launch of NASM-SR conducted on April 29, 2026
• Two missiles fired in quick succession from a Sea King helicopter
• Range of 55 km, 100 kg warhead, high subsonic speed
• Demonstrated waterline hit capability for maximum damage
• Developed indigenously by DRDO labs with industry partners
• Longer-range NASM-MR variant under development

Sources: The Times of India, Republic World, Business Standard, Deccan Chronicle, Defence Watch, Indian Defence Research Wing