DRDO to test high altitude guided anti-tank missiles in Nagpur

Nagpur: The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), which is developing the helicopter-launched guided anti-tank missile Helina, is in the process of conducting high-altitude trials of the weapon system.

This then happens to be a much needed move by the Army in light of possible tank action on the Chinese front. And the missile has been developed by Defense Research and Development Laboratory (DRDL), which is also an establishment under Defence Research and Development Organisation located in Hyderabad.

Helina missiles have been demonstrated at the Defence Research and Development Laboratory stall at the 108th Indian Science Congress in the city. And in general, tank battles in the plains are to be expected. The missiles have already been fully tested successfully in such areas including deserts.

However, considering the Chinese factor, the Army also wants them to operate in high altitude areas along the Eastern Front, for which further user trials have been planned and are in process.

Challenge now is to reduce the recoil

The sources also said that factors like gravitational force, density of air and other factors related to altitude would have to be considered a lot.

DRDO has already fully developed the tank-to-tank-guided Nag missiles, which are also third-generation guided systems. Nag is also made by ordnance factories. The sources said that once fully built, Helina will be available for both the private and public sector on a Transfer of Technology (TOT) basis.

Another version – the Man Portable Anti-Tank Guided Missile (MPATM) – was also showcased at the expo. It is also a shoulder-fired third generation anti-tank missile. If it is completely successful, then it will be the first such indigenous weapon, sources said.

However, the challenge now is to reduce the recoil that the soldier has to carry on his own shoulder. Currently, recoil, which is also the back pressure from a gun or weapon, is too much for a soldier to handle. Efforts are being made to reduce the force. And at the same time, work is also going on to tune the booster energy to such a level that the recoil can be tolerated by the soldier and the flight of the missile can also be maintained, said a source.

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