The Indian Navy, in collaboration with the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), conducted successful Guided Flight Trials for an indigenous naval anti-ship missile, aiming to bolster self-reliance (Aatmanirbharta). This milestone test, executed from a Seeking 42B helicopter on November 21, signifies a significant stride toward enhancing naval capabilities.
Earlier in October, anticipation surrounded DRDO's upcoming trial of a long-range anti-ship missile (LRASM), set to augment the Navy's arsenal, particularly in ship-based missile systems with extended range. Reports hinted at a potential range of 500 kilometers, surpassing the 350-400 kilometers of the supersonic Indo-Russian cruise missile, BrahMos.
As far back as May 2022, India had already demonstrated its inaugural indigenously manufactured anti-ship missile falling within the short-range category. Dubbed as the 'Naval Anti-ship Missile-short range' (NASM-SR), these missiles, weighing around 380 kilograms and boasting a range of 55 kilometers, are deployable from attack helicopters.
In March of the same year, the Indian Navy successfully conducted the Medium Range Surface-to-Air Missile (MRSAM) firing from INS Visakhapatnam, affirming its capability to intercept 'Anti Ship Missiles.' The MRSAM, a joint endeavor between DRDO, Israeli Aerospace Industries (IAI), and Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL), showcased its prowess as a cutting-edge medium-range air defense system.
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An announcement in February revealed that the MRSAM, also known as the 'Abhra' Weapon System, resulted from active collaboration between DRDO, IAI, and various Indian defense industry partners, including MSMEs. It boasted the capability to strike multiple targets within a 70-kilometer range and comprised an array of components such as the Combat Management System (CMS), Mobile Launcher Systems (MLS), Advanced Long Range Radar, Mobile Power System (MPS), Radar Power System (RPS), Reloader Vehicle (RV), and Field Service Vehicle, all powered by an indigenously developed rocket motor and control system.
