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 areas of Pokhran in Rajasthan on a 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 the 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 Organisation (DRDO) and the Indian Army were present during the mission.

The IIR-seeker technology, again developed indigenously, has been demonstrated in the NAG 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. The production and induction of the missile are likely to happen in 2019.

Guided Bombs, SAAW

In another development, defence scientists also flight tested the indigenously designed and developed guided bombs (Smart Anti Airfield Weapon SAAW) from an IAF aircraft at the Chandan range. The weapon system was integrated with a live warhead and has destroyed targets with high precision. The SAAW is the combined effort of the DRDO, IAF and HAL.

This weapon is capable of destroying a variety of ground targets using precision navigation. A total of three tests with different release conditions were conducted during August 16-18 and all the mission objectives have been achieved. The weapon has undergone eight developmental trials till date and the performance of systems for different ranges under multiple launch conditions has been demonstrated.

Senior officials from DRDO, HAL and the Indian Air Force 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.

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