SOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG
The Indian Navy is set to enhance its maritime strike capabilities by incorporating the indigenously developed Naval Anti-Ship Missile-Medium Range (NASM-MR), also known as Medium Range Anti-Ship Missiles (MRAShM), into its fleet of Boeing P-8I Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft. This ambitious plan, which involves collaboration with Boeing, aims to supplement the Navy’s existing arsenal of Harpoon AGM-84D anti-ship missiles, bolstering its ability to tackle surface threats across the Indian Ocean Region.
The NASM-MR, designed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), is already tailored for the Navy’s MiG-29K fighter jets and is slated for integration with the Rafale Marine and the upcoming Twin Engine Deck Based Fighter (TEDBF). Its expansion to the P-8I fleet marks a significant step in unifying advanced weaponry across diverse platforms.
The NASM-MR, an all-weather, over-the-horizon anti-ship cruise missile, is engineered to engage small to medium-sized warships such as frigates, corvettes, and destroyers. While initially developed for air launch from the MiG-29K—evidenced by its showcase on the fighter at Aero India 2025—the missile’s versatility has prompted the Navy to explore its deployment on the P-8I, a long-range maritime reconnaissance and strike platform. Boeing, the manufacturer of the P-8I, will play a pivotal role in this integration, leveraging its expertise to adapt the missile for the aircraft’s weapon bays and mission systems. This move reflects the Navy’s intent to diversify the P-8I’s offensive capabilities beyond the Harpoon AGM-84D, which has been a mainstay of its anti-ship arsenal.
Outperforming the Harpoon AGM-84D—a U.S.-origin missile with a range of approximately 124 kilometres—the NASM-MR offers a superior range and advanced features. While exact specifications remain under wraps, reports suggest the missile can strike targets beyond 250 kilometres, with some variants potentially reaching up to 350 kilometres when equipped with a solid-fuel rocket booster. Its design incorporates cutting-edge guidance systems, including an X-band RF seeker, ensuring precision strikes against naval targets. Unlike the Harpoon, which relies on dated technology, the NASM-MR benefits from modern avionics and seeker systems proven in other DRDO missile programs, enhancing its lethality and adaptability in contested environments.
The Navy’s decision to integrate the NASM-MR with the P-8I fleet complements its deployment on carrier-based fighters like the MiG-29K, Rafale M, and the forthcoming TEDBF. This multi-platform approach ensures operational flexibility, allowing the Navy to project power from both its aircraft carriers and shore-based maritime patrol assets. The P-8I, already equipped with torpedoes and Harpoons, will gain a longer-reaching, domestically developed option, reducing reliance on foreign munitions and aligning with India’s “Atmanirbhar Bharat” self-reliance initiative.
The NASM-MR’s development has progressed swiftly, with the DRDO completing its preliminary design review in November 2023 and moving toward wind tunnel testing to finalize its aerodynamic configuration. The missile’s imminent trials are expected to be streamlined, as many of its subsystems—such as guidance, navigation, and propulsion—draw from technologies already validated in other Indian missile projects, including the BrahMos and NASM-SR (Short Range). This maturity minimizes the need for extensive testing, paving the way for rapid clearance and production. Once operational, the NASM-MR will enter service as a “Harpoon-class” missile with enhanced capabilities, offering a significant upgrade over its American counterpart.
For the Indian Navy, this integration is a strategic move to counter growing maritime challenges, particularly from the People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) in the Indo-Pacific. The P-8I, with its advanced sensors and extended range, paired with the NASM-MR’s superior reach, will enable the Navy to engage threats at greater distances, enhancing deterrence and strike potential. Boeing’s involvement ensures seamless compatibility, leveraging the P-8I’s existing architecture to expedite deployment.
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