New Delhi (NVI): The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) today successfully carried out the joint user trials of Army and Air Force versions of anti-tank guided missile systems in desert ranges.
The trials for Helina (Army Version) and Dhruvastra (Air Force Version) missile systems have been carried out from Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH) platform.
Both the missile systems have been designed and developed indigenously by Defence Research and Development Organisation.
“Five missions were carried out for evaluating the missile capabilities in minimum and maximum range, the Ministry of Defence said in a statement.
“The missiles were fired in hover and max forward flight against realistic static and moving targets. Some missions were carried out with warheads against derelict tanks. A mission was carried out against a moving target from a forward flying helicopter,” it added.
According to the Defence Ministry, the Helina and Dhruvastra are third generation missiles, Lock on Before Launch (LOBL) fire and forget anti-tank guided missiles 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. It is one of the most-advanced anti-tank weapons in the world. Now, the missile systems are ready for induction, the ministry noted.
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 also appreciated the efforts of teams involved in the successful trials, the statement added.
-RJV
