According to officials from the Ministry of Defence, the indigenously developed helicopter-launched Anti-Tank Guided Missile 'HELINA' has successfully completed all trials. The missile utilizes an Imaging Infra-Red (IIR) Seeker operating in the Lock on Before Launch mode, making it one of the most advanced anti-tank weapons globally.

Additionally, the Indian Air Force (IAF) is in the process of inducting a variant of the HELINA Weapon System called 'DHRUVASTRA'.

As per reports, in 2022, the DRDO successfully conducted flight tests of the indigenously developed HELINA missile at high-altitude ranges as part of user validation trials. The joint effort involved teams of scientists from DRDO, the Indian Army, and the Indian Air Force (IAF).

The flight trials were carried out from an Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH) and included the firing and engagement of a simulated tank target. Following the trials and validation from the army and IAF, the government is now preparing for the induction of HELINA into the Indian Army, as stated by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO).

Furthermore, the successful validation trials conducted at Pokhran in Rajasthan pave the way for the integration of HELINA on the ALH, adding to the capabilities of the Indian Armed Forces.

The Nag ATGM is ready for induction into the Indian Army after completing all required flight and user trials. “We are now awaiting an order from the Indian Army,” the official said.

As reported by the DRDO, the Nag missile is categorized as a third-generation Anti-Tank Guided Missile (ATGM) that operates on a fire-and-forget principle.

The DRDO has disclosed that the Nag missile boasts an operational range of up to 4 kilometers and is equipped with a tandem high-explosive anti-tank (HEAT) warhead.

In terms of its physical specifications, the Nag ATGM measures approximately 1.834 meters in length, has a diameter of 0.158 meters, and weighs around 44 kilograms. Notably, the Nag ATGM has been successfully mounted on helicopters, which transforms it into the Helicopter-Launched Nag Missile system, known as HELINA.

Image source: The Financial Express