Indian Armed Forces Set To Get Tank-Buster Missiles As HELINA And Dhruvastra Clear Trials

The helicopter-launched Nag (HELINA) anti-tank guided missile (ATGM) from India has passed all of its tests.

Dhruvastra, HELINA’s version for the air force, has also passed all of its tests.

Both the HELINA and Dhruvastra missiles are guided by an advanced image infra-red seeker that can both “lock on before launch” and “lock on after launch.” This makes it one of the most advanced anti-tank weapons in the world.

They can hit armored objects, like tanks, from a distance of 7 to 8 kilometers.

As part of user certification trials, the Defense Research and Development Organisation did successful flight tests at high altitude ranges earlier in 2022.

Both missiles were tested in battle from an advanced light chopper at a high altitude range in eastern Ladakh. The missiles were able to destroy simulated tank targets, which showed that they were effective.

After the Indian Army and Indian Air Force tested and approved the rocket, it will be used by both.

The HELINA and Dhruvastra missiles are versions of the Nag missile that can be fired from a helicopter. The Nag missile is a fire-and-forget, third-generation ATGM with a range of up to 4 km and a high-explosive anti-tank warhead.

The Nag ATGM is 1.834 m long, 0.158 m wide, and weighs 44 kg. It can hit all protected targets, including tanks, and destroy them.

HELINA and Dhruvastra are ready to join the Indian Army and Air Force now that all of the required flight and user tests have been finished.

The missile’s powers are a big step forward for India’s anti-tank weapons and a big step forward for India’s defense capabilities.