Context:

• Recently, the Indian Navy successfully undertook Guided Flight Trials of the first indigenously developed Naval Anti-Ship Missile (ASM). 

Indian Navy Achieves Milestone in Indigenous Missile Tech

• Testing: Indian Navy in association with Defence Research and Development Organisation successfully tested the missile from a Sea king 42B helicopter. 
• Achieving Self Reliance: This is a step towards achieving self-reliance in niche missile technology, including seeker and guidance technologies.
  • The missile employs several new technologies, including an indigenously developed launcher for the helicopter.
• Missile Guidance System: It includes a state-of-the-art navigation system and integrated avionics.

Naval Defense Dynamics: From Anti-Ship Missiles to MRSAM Advancements

• Anti-ship missiles are guided missiles that are designed for use against ships and large boats. 
• Launch Platform: Many anti-ship missiles can be launched from a variety of weapons systems including surface warships, submarines, bombers, fighter planes, patrol planes, helicopters, etc.

• Threat Posed by ASM: ASMs are a significant threat to surface ships, which have large radar, radio, and thermal signatures that are difficult to suppress. 
  • Once acquired, a ship cannot outrun or out-turn a missile.
• Countering ASM: The modern surface combatant has to either avoid being detected, destroy the missile launch platform before it fires its missiles, or decoy and/or destroy all of the incoming missiles.

India’s ASM Tests:

• Short-Range ASM: In May 2022, India tested its first indigenously built ASM falling in the short-range category weighing around 380 kilograms with a range of 55 kilometres. 
• Named as ‘Naval Anti-ship Missile-short range’ (NASM-SR), they can be launched from attack helicopters.
• Long-Range ASM (LRASM): DRDO is set to test the LRASM which would enhance the Navy’s capabilities in the realm of ship-based missile systems with extended range. 

News Source: Mint