NASM-MR explained

Naval Anti-Ship Missile–Medium Range (NASM–MR) or Medium Range Anti-Ship Missiles (MRAShM) is an all-weather, over-the-horizon anti-ship cruise missile being developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation for the Indian Navy for use against small to medium sized warships like frigates, corvettes, and destroyers. DRDO has been given approval to develop an indigenously developed the anti-ship missile. The NASM-MR will be of the same class as of Harpoon missile which is of US origin.^{[4] [5]}

Development

On 6 November 2023, DRDO completed the preliminary design review of the NASM-MR missile and was proceeding for developing wind tunnel model for testing the to finalize the aerodynamic configuration.^[6]

On 30 November 2023, Defence Acquisition Council (DAC), which is headed by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh under the Ministry of Defence, cleared the acquisition of Medium Range Anti-Ship Missiles (MRAShM) for surface warships of the Indian Navy which is envisaged as a lightweight Surface-to-Surface Missile to be used as a primary offensive weapon onboard Indian Naval Ships.^[7]

Variants

There will be multiple variants of the missile will be developed. The variants include:

• Air-launched variant: Will be deployed onboard fixed-wing fighter aircraft and maritime patrol aircraft (MPA) like Boeing P-8I Neptune. Range: .
• Ship-launched variant: Will be deployed onboard vertical launchers of frontline warships. It will include an additional solid-fuel rocket booster. Range: .
• Submarine-launched variant: Will include an additional solid-fuel rocket booster. Range: >.
• Coastal defence batteries: May take longer than the other three variants due to Indian Navy requirements.

See also

• Harpoon – American-origin anti-ship missile
• Exocet – French-origin anti-ship missile
• Kalibr – Russian-origin anti-ship missile
• Kh-35 – Soviet-origin anti-ship missile

Notes and References

1. Web site: Udoshi . Rahul . 19 May 2022 . India's naval anti-ship missile completes maiden flight test . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20220519174712/https://www.janes.com/defence-news/indias-naval-anti-ship-missile-completes-maiden-flight-test/ . 19 May 2022 . 2022-05-19 . Janes.com . en.
2. News: Kadidal . Akhil . Design of India's naval fighter approaching preliminary completion . 14 November 2022 . Janes . 3 November 2022.
3. Web site: Singh . Dr. Manjit . Ammunition Systems and Warhead Technologies . Technology Focus . Defence Research and Development Organisation . 20 May 2022.
4. Web site: 2023-01-11 . DRDO to make 4 variants of NASM-MR missile, will boost Indian Navy against China . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20241203052535/https://www.firstpost.com/india/drdo-to-make-4-variants-of-nasm-mr-missile-will-boost-indian-navy-against-china-11964702.html . 2024-12-03 . 2024-09-03 . Firstpost . en-us.
5. Web site: DRDO To Make 4 Variants of NASM-MR Missile, Will Boost Indian Navy Against China . 2024-09-03.
6. 1721393222612914381 . Varun55484761 . Preliminary Design Review of DRDO Naval Anti-Ship Missile–Medium Range(NASM-MR) completed... . Varun . Karthikeyan . 2023-11-06 . 2024-09-03.
7. Web site: 2023-11-30 . Defence Acquisition Council approves capital acquisition proposals worth Rs 2.23 lakh crore to enhance the operational capabilities of the Armed Forces . 2024-09-03 . Press Information Bureau.