Historic Dual Missile Launch from Helicopter Boosts India Navy

India has showcased its advancing defence technology with a successful double salvo test of the short-range Naval Anti-Ship Missile (NASM-SR) from a naval helicopter. Conducted near Odisha coast in the Bay of Bengal, this joint DRDO-Indian Navy effort underscores a new era in aerial maritime strikes. Defence Ministry officials confirmed both missiles hit their targets flawlessly within a tight timeframe, proving the system's reliability. The trial utilized state-of-the-art surveillance from Chandipur's Integrated Test Range, capturing every phase with radars, optics, and telemetry. A key highlight was the waterline precision strike, allowing deeper penetration and greater destruction on adversary ships. Attendees included top DRDO personnel, Navy and Air Force officers, and industry collaborators. Powered by solid booster and extended sustainer motors, the missile integrates homegrown innovations: sophisticated seekers, avionics modules, gyro-stabilized navigation, altimeters, guidance algorithms, data links, and thrust vectoring. Led by Hyderabad's RCI, with support from multiple DRDO facilities and private sector, production is scaling up via DCPP framework. Rajnath Singh lauded the collaborative success, stating it fortifies India's defence posture. DRDO chief Dr. Samir Kamat echoed the sentiments. Defence analysts hail it as pivotal for self-reliance, empowering the Navy with helicopter-based rapid anti-ship firepower to dominate contested waters and respond swiftly to provocations.