New Delhi: India on Friday successfully conducted flight test of anti-tank guided missile Helina and Dhruvastra under ‘Make in India’ in the desert ranges of Rajasthan.
Designed and developed by the Defence Ministry’s research wing DRDO, the ALH launched anti-tank guided missile (ATGM) is one of the most advanced anti-tank weapons in the world.
The test was conducted as part of joint user trials for Helina (Army Version) and Dhruvastra (Air Force Version) missile system.
“Five missions were carried out for evaluating the missile capabilities in minimum and maximum range. The missiles were fired in hover and max forward flight against realistic static and moving targets,” a DRDO official said.
Some missions were carried out with warheads against derelict tanks.
Also, a mission was carried out against a moving target from a forward flying helicopter.
HELINA is a third generation, lock on before launch (LOBL) fire and forget
Anti-Tank Guided Missile that can engage targets both in direct hit mode as well as top attack mode.
The system has all weather day and night capability and can defeat battle tanks with conventional armour as well as with explosive reactive armour.
Now the missile systems are ready for induction, he said.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh congratulated DRDO, the Army and Air Force for the achievements.
Secretary Department of Defence R&D and Chairman DRDO Dr G Satheesh Reddy appreciated the efforts of teams involved in the successful trials. With agency inputs
