NEW DELHI: The Indian Navy demonstrated its operational preparedness and technological prowess by successfully conducting multiple missile firing exercises in the Arabian Sea. Several frontline warships, including the indigenously built guided missile destroyer INS Surat, carried out precision strikes against surface and aerial targets, showcasing Indiaโs growing naval capabilities amid heightened regional tensions.
โก #FLASH | #IndianNavy ships successfully conduct multiple anti-ship firings, revalidating long-range precision strike capabilities.
๐ฎ๐ณ #CombatReady #Credible #FutureReady | Safeguarding maritime interests Anytime, Anywhere, Anyhow!
Reports @Nihal_kumar0045 pic.twitter.com/C76YDtK7T0
โ The New Indian (@TheNewIndian_in) April 27, 2025
INS Surat and Other Warships Lead Complex Missile Firings
At the center of the operations was INS Surat, which on April 24 fired a medium-range surface-to-air missile (MRSAM) and achieved a direct hit on a sea-skimming target.
Other Indian Navy warships simultaneously carried out multiple Anti-Ship Missile (AShM) firings, validating the fleetโs ability to deliver long-range precision strikes.
The exercises showcased a layered offensive and defensive capability across the deployed platforms.
The MRSAM, jointly developed by Indiaโs DRDO and Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI), has an interception range of around 70 kilometers and is designed to counter hostile aircraft, missiles, and drones. The Indian Navy described the precision firing by INS Surat as a โsignificant milestoneโ in enhancing air defense capabilities under operational conditions.
Simultaneously, Indian Navy warships conducted a series of anti-ship missile launches, striking targets with pinpoint accuracy in a live operational setting. The successful offensive firings underscored the Navyโs preparedness for blue-water operations and rapid response across the Indian Ocean Region (IOR).
Indigenous Strength on Display: INS Suratโs Capabilities
INS Surat, commissioned into service on January 15, 2025, is the fourth Visakhapatnam-class (Project 15B) stealth guided-missile destroyer.
Built with 75% indigenous content under the Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiative, it is armed with Barak-8 missiles, BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles, and cutting-edge sensors and radar systems. The recent missile test validated both the platformโs design and its crewโs combat readiness.
Context: Regional Tensions and Security Signaling
The missile firings come in the backdrop of heightened regional tensions. Just days earlier, there was a terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir.
Following the attack, Pakistan issued a Notice to Airmen/Mariners (NOTAM) and conducted its own naval live-fire drills in the Arabian Sea on April 23, 2025. The Indian Navyโs missile firings, conducted shortly after, are widely interpreted as a clear signal of deterrence and operational dominance.
The exercises also coincide with concerns over Chinese naval presence. In February 2025, two Chinese vessels, Lan Hai 101 and 201, were spotted operating in the Arabian Sea during Pakistanโs AMAN-25 multinational naval drills, raising strategic alarms in New Delhi.
Broader Exercises and Indigenous Missile Advances
The multiple missile firing exercises are part of a broader pattern of naval assertiveness. In March 2025, India and France conducted the Varuna naval exercise in the Arabian Sea, featuring aircraft carriers INS Vikrant and Charles de Gaulle and showcasing complex air-sea integration drills.
India is also preparing for the third edition of the Al-Mohed Al-Hindi exercise with Saudi Arabia, scheduled later this year, further bolstering maritime cooperation in the western Indian Ocean Region.
On the indigenous technology front, the DRDO successfully tested the Naval Anti-Ship Missile-Short Range (NASM-SR) in February 2025 from a Seaking 42B helicopter. The missile struck a target vessel with precision, further reducing Indiaโs dependency on imported systems.
Social media platforms, particularly X, witnessed a surge of congratulatory messages for the Navy. Citizens hailed the precision firings as a โgame-changerโ for Indiaโs maritime deterrence posture, although social media reactions reflect personal views and are not official assessments.
With the successful execution of multiple missile firings by several frontline warships, the Indian Navy reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring maritime security in the Indo-Pacific. As the Navy prepares to induct new warships and submarines, and participates in multilateral exercises, it continues to reinforce its role as a net security provider in the region.
The recent exercises send a firm message: India is ready, vigilant, and resolute in defending its maritime interests against any threats.
