India’s quest to equip itself with more short-range, tactical strike power got a boost with the testing of the helicopter-launched, anti-tank guided missile HELINA.
The indigenously developed weapon system was successfully flight tested from an Army helicopter in the desert ranges of Pokhran in Rajasthan on Sunday afternoon. It was tested for its full range of capabilities, a Defence Ministry statement said.
The HELINA weapon system released smoothly from the launch platform, tracked the target all through its course, and struck it with high precision. All the parameters were monitored by telemetry stations, tracking systems and helicopters.
The missile is guided by an Infrared Imaging Seeker (IIR) operating in the Lock-on-Before-Launch mode. It is one of the most advanced anti-tank weapons in the world. Senior officials from the Defence Research and Development Oorganisation (DRDO) and the Indian Army were present during the mission.
The IIR seeker technology, again developed indigenously, has been demonstrated in the NAG, the anti-tank guided missile system, in the past few years. In addition. DRDO scientists have also integrated it into the exo-atmospheric interceptor missile in the Ballistic Missile Shield programme.
The tests have validated the efficacy and reliability of a range of critical technologies that make up the Helina system. It is the helicopter-launched version of NAG and has a hit range of 7-8 km. Missile production and induction are likely to happen in 2019.
Senior officials from DRDO, HAL and the Indian Air Force participated in and witnessed the flight tests. Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman congratulated the DRDO and the Indian Army on the successful flight test, for further strengthening the defence capabilities of the country.