NASM-SR (Naval Anti-Ship Missile – Short Range) is an indigenous, helicopter-launched anti-ship missile developed by DRDO, designed to give Indian Navy ship-borne helicopters a precision anti-ship strike capability against small and medium surface vessels at short-to-medium range.[1]
NASM-SR uses an indigenous imaging infrared (IIR) seeker for terminal guidance, enabling high-precision waterline strikes in sea-skimming flight mode, with a demonstrated Man-in-the-Loop targeting feature that allows an operator to confirm or adjust target selection during the missile’s flight.[1]
NASM-SR was first tested in May 2022, with seeker-guided flight trials — demonstrating lock-on-after-launch capability — successfully conducted in November 2023. DRDO and the Indian Navy carried out further successful flight trials from the Integrated Test Range, Chandipur, on 25 February 2025, scoring a direct hit on a small ship target at maximum range in sea-skimming mode. On 29 April 2026, DRDO conducted the missile’s maiden salvo launch from an Indian Navy Sea King helicopter over the Bay of Bengal, firing two missiles in quick succession and demonstrating waterline-hit capability under a realistic multi-missile engagement profile.[2][1]
| Type | Helicopter-launched short-range anti-ship missile |
| Developer | DRDO |
| Seeker | Indigenous imaging infrared (IIR), Man-in-the-Loop capable |
| Flight profile | Sea-skimming, waterline-hit capable |
| Launch platform | Sea King and other Indian Navy helicopters |
| First test | May 2022 |
| Maiden salvo launch | 29 April 2026 (two missiles) |