SOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG
Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), a state-owned Indian company, is planning to carry out trials of the indigenous Helina (the Army version) and Dhruvastra (IAF version) anti-tank guided missile systems from the Light Combat Helicopter (LCH) Prachand. This decision comes despite the weapon system already receiving clearance for operational usage from the Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH) platform, which shares similar avionics and systems.
Insiders familiar with the matter have revealed that these trials are not aimed at evaluating the missiles’ capabilities in terms of minimum and maximum range. Instead, they are part of a mandatory checklist to approve their operational usage from a new platform, the LCH Prachand, even though these missiles have been tested extensively from the ALH-MkIV Rudra Attack Helicopters.
The Helina and Dhruvastra are third-generation, Lock-before-launch (LOBL), fire-and-forget anti-tank guided missiles. They can engage targets in both direct hit and top attack modes, providing all-weather, day and night capabilities. These missiles are designed to defeat battle tanks with conventional armour as well as explosive reactive armour, making them among the most advanced anti-tank weapons globally.
Additionally, the Defense Acquisition Council (DAC) has granted Acceptance of Necessity (AoN) for the procurement of Dhruvastra, a short-range air-to-surface anti-tank guided missile. This missile is designed to be fired from the HAL-manufactured Advanced Light Helicopters Mk-IV.
Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) has accorded Acceptance of Necessity (AoN) 800 procurement of Light Armoured Multipurpose Vehicles (LAMV) for Mechanised Infantry and Armoured Corp for which the Indian Army had issued a Request for Information (RFI).
People familiar with the matter have told idrw.org that four Domestic automobile giants in the country had responded to the RFI that was issued last year and with AoN, final evaluation and trials might commence soon.
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