This is the first indigenous air launched anti-ship missile system for the Indian Navy

In a major step towards boosting the country's defence capabilities, the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and Indian Navy have successfully conducted the maiden flight-test of an indigenously-developed Naval Anti-Ship Missile.

The missile was launched from a Naval Helicopter from the Integrated Test Range (ITR), Chandipur off the coast of Odisha on Wednesday, said the Ministry of Defence.

This is the first indigenous air launched anti-ship missile system for the Indian Navy.

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

The missile followed the desired sea skimming trajectory and reached the designated target with high degree of accuracy, validating the control, guidance and mission algorithms. All the sub-systems performed satisfactorily, the defence ministry said.

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

The flight test was witnessed by senior officers of DRDO and the Indian Navy.

Congratulating DRDO, Indian Navy and associated teams for the maiden developmental flight test, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said India had attained a high level of capability in the indigenous design and development of missile systems.

Secretary Department of Defence R&D and Chairman DRDO G Satheesh Reddy complimented the Indian Navy and Naval Flight Test Squadron for their support to the project. He said that the system will strengthen offensive capability of Indian Navy.