ALH Dhruv test fires anti-tank missiles Helina and Dhruvastra

The airborne versions of the Nag anti-tank missile, namely Helina and Dhruvastra, meant for the Indian Army and the Indian Air Force respectively, were test fired from the HAL ALH Dhruv helicopter today in the Western desert. These missiles have been designed and developed indigenously by Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO).

A total of five missions was carried out for evaluating the missile capabilities in minimum and maximum range. “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,” said the DRDO release.

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The Helina and Dhruvastra are third generation, Lock on Before Launch (LOBL) fire and forget anti-tank 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.