The Indian Air Force has completed a live-fire trial of the indigenously developed Helina helicopter-launched anti-tank guided missile.
According to the Indian defense ministry, the test flight took place on April 11, in Pokhran, Rajasthan, and was part of user validation trials. Developed by the Defence Research and Development Laboratory (DRDL), Helina has been undergoing user trials since 2018.
Teams of scientists from Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), Indian Army and Indian Air Force (IAF) were involved in the latest trial.
In the test, the Helina missile was launched from an Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH) and successfully engaged a simulated tank target.
The missile has range of seven kilometers and is guided by an imaging infra-red (IIR) seeker operating in the lock on before launch mode. The Indian defense ministry describes the missile as “one of the most advanced anti-tank weapons in the world.”
According to the defense ministry, the latest round of validation trials verifies the missile’s efficacy at high altitudes and paves the way for its integration on the ALH.
