India is working on a short-range surface-to-air missile (SRSAM) which, when developed, can be used by the country's navy which earlier rejected the indigenous Akash missiles.

The new indigenous project is at an initial stage and is being developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), a source in the know of the project development told dna.

The new missiles with a range of 25-30 kilometres can be used by the Army and the Air Force too, the source said.

The project is independent of the DRDO's and the French firm MBDA's joint missile programme for navy that the government took a decision on recently as reported by dna on March 31.

Unlike Akash missile, the new missiles will be a cannister based and vertically-launched system suitable for naval ships. They can be placed hidden in the ship's dock and escape enemy surveillance radars.

"The fact that they will be vertically-launched next-generation quick-reaction missiles will enable Navy to strike a target in all directions from the ships with much improved manoeuvering," said the source.

The cannister based SRSAM will also absorb the large part of the flume that emanates during a missile launch. This will be to the Navy's advantage that have limited space to operate from the warships.

The new project's cost components and time frame of completion could not be immediately known.

India already has long range cannister based missiles like Brahmos and Agni but navy's requirement is a short range quick-reaction missile.

The medium-range surface-to-air missile Akash was initially made keeping in view Army's requirement but later its Air Force version was developed. The Navy, however, hadn't found it fitting its requirement.

Meanwhile the Indian Navy is also preparing to equip its warships with Israeli Barak-8 air-defence missile system which is to happen by the year end.

Also, the DRDO has recently begun engaging with the French firm MBDA for development of nine SRSAMs which have 40 missiles each. India recently revived the $5 billion SRSAM 'Maitri' project - a joint programme between the DRDO and MBDA whcih had seen no headway since 2007.