HELINA Missile:
State-owned Bharat Dynamics Limited recently secured an order worth Rs 1,109.37 crore from Hindustan Aeronautics Limited to supply launchers for helicopter-launched anti-tank Nag (Helina) missiles.
- HELINA (Helicopter-launched NAG) is an indigenous, third-generation “fire-and-forget” anti-tank guided missile (ATGM).
- It is the helicopter-based version of the Nag Anti-Tank Guided Missile (ATGM).
- The Air Force version of the missile is called Dhruvastra, along with an ATGM version, which can be fired by soldiers.
- It has been developed indigenously by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO).
- Helina missile systems are outfitted with two twin launchers, one on each side, capable of carrying a total of eight missiles.
- It can cover distances ranging between 500 m and 7,000 m and is guided by an imaging infrared (IIR) seeker with lock-on before launch
- It means the crew locks on to the target before the launch, and the missile then guides itself to the target without any further control from the helicopter.
- The missile climbs sharply after the launch and then plunges directly onto the top of the tank.
- The system is equipped for day and night operations in all weather conditions, capable of neutralising battle tanks equipped with both conventional armour and explosive reactive armour.
