India's SMART missile shows the learning curve of indigenization

How should viewers understand India's SMART missile?

It is a good indigenous torpedo-delivery system and an important capability-building step, even if later generations are likely to be more polished.

SMART carries an Indian lightweight torpedo to its release point by rocket. Its speed is recalled as above Mach 2, possibly above Mach 2.5, with an explicit warning that the figure has not been checked. The system is judged capable for an initial indigenous design, even though products from established third- or fourth-generation lines can be more polished. Building it domestically gives India experience that buying a finished foreign weapon would not provide. Mistakes in design and production can then inform the next generation. Export customers are expected to favour more mature foreign systems for now, with Indian sales becoming more plausible after another generation or two of development. The benefit of accepting that learning period is greater domestic capability and independence.