New Delhi: India has successfully carried out the flight test of anti-tank guided missile ‘HELINA’ from an indigenously-developed helicopter at high-altitude ranges today.
The flight test was jointly conducted by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), Indian Army and Indian Air Force, as part of the user validation trials, the Defence Ministry said in a statement.
The flight trials were conducted from an Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH) and the missile was fired successfully engaging a simulated tank target.
According to the Defence Ministry, 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.
In continuation to validation trials conducted at Pokhran, proof of efficacy at high altitudes paves the way for its integration on ALH.
The trials were witnessed by senior Army commanders and senior scientists of DRDO, it said.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh congratulated DRDO and the Indian Army for the maiden achievement through joint work.
Secretary Department of Defence R&D and Chairman DRDO Dr G Satheesh Reddy also congratulated the teams for the commendable job performed in difficult conditions.
