SOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG

Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) is gearing up to conduct live trials of the HELINA anti-tank guided missile (ATGM) from its indigenously developed Light Combat Helicopter (LCH), known as “Prachand”. The HELINA, or Helicopter-based NAG, is a third-generation fire-and-forget missile, designed to tackle armored threats with precision and effectiveness.
The HELINA missile system has been in development for years as part of India’s push towards self-reliance in defense technology. In 2022, a significant milestone was achieved when HELINA was successfully flight tested from an Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH), accurately engaging a simulated tank target. This test not only validated the missile’s design but also its integration with helicopter platforms, proving its operational readiness.
Currently, HELINA has moved into limited production, with new batches of missiles lined up for integration and testing on the LCH-Prachand. The trials are crucial as they will be the first time the HELINA will be launched from the LCH platform, marking an important step in expanding the combat capabilities of this versatile helicopter.
The LCH-Prachand, already celebrated for its capacity to operate in high-altitude conditions, will see its anti-tank capabilities significantly enhanced with the addition of HELINA. The missile’s “fire and forget” technology means that once launched, the helicopter can manoeuvre away or engage other targets, making it a formidable asset in dynamic combat scenarios.
Technical Specifications of HELINA:
- Range: Up to 7 kilometers
- Guidance: Imaging Infrared (IIR) seeker for autonomous target tracking
- Launch: Lock-on Before Launch (LOBL) for precision strikes
- Modes: Capable of both direct hit and top attack modes to defeat different types of armour
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