Indian Navy successfully test-fires naval anti-ship missile

The test was conducted at the Integrated Test Range (ITR) in Odisha's Balasore

India on Wednesday successfully conducted the maiden flight test of an indigenously-developed naval anti-ship missile from a Seaking 42B helicopter, demonstrating the new weapon’s ability to add more teeth to the force’s war-fighting prowess.

The test firing at the Integrated Test Range, Chandipur, Odisha, sources said, was a significant step towards achieving self-reliance in niche missile technology.

The missile followed the desired sea-skimming trajectory and reached the designated target with a high degree of accuracy, validating the control, guidance and mission algorithms, the Defence Research and Development Organisation said in a statement. All the sub-systems performed satisfactorily.

The sensors deployed across the test range and near the impact point tracked the missile trajectory and captured all the events.

The missile employed many new technologies, including an indigenously developed launcher for the helicopter, while the guidance system includes a state-of-the-art navigation system and integrated avionics.

The missile would have to undergo multiple trials before it is inducted in the Indian Navy.