Helina And Dhruvastra:
India has successfully test-fired indigenously-developed anti-tank guided missile systems ‘Helina’ and ‘Dhruvastra’ in the Pokhran range, Thar desert (Rajasthan).
- The Helina (the Army version) and Dhruvastra (Indian Airforce version) are helicopter-launched versions of third-generation anti-tank guided missiles (the Nag missile system).
- The missile system has the all-weather day-and-night capability and can defeat battle tanks with conventional armor and explosive reactive armor.
- The missile systems have been designed and developed indigenously by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO).
- The ‘Helina’ and ‘Dhruvastra’ can engage targets both indirect hit mode as well as top attack mode.
- The missile is required to climb sharply after launch and travel at a certain altitude, then plunge on top of the target.
- Direct Attack Mode: The missile travels at a lower altitude, directly striking the target.
