Following the partial success of the Nirbhay subsonic cruise missile on its March 12 debut test, the development team has managed to identify the glitch in the inertial naviation system (INS) that forced them to push the kill button 17 minutes into the flight, following a perfect launch sequence. Defence Minister A.K. Antony confirmed in the Parliament that the problem had been identified and was in the process of being fixed.

DRDO sources reveal that fixing the problem was a learning process, given that the Nirbhay is almost entirely Indian, with all major systems and electronics fully indigenous. They also revealed that a crucial second test could take place by November this year, if all goes well. The March 12 debut test was a partial disappointment since the Nirbhay test was already delayed by at least two years. The Nirbhay will be tested till 2017, following which it will be inducted into the armed forces. An air-launched and ship-launched version will also be developed and tested in tandem.