SOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG
The Russian-origin fleet of Mi-17V5 helicopters in the Indian Air Force as part of their upgrade package will be getting Spike NLOS missile that can take out targets from long ranges and can prove to be very effective against enemy Armoured columns in times of conflict. Mi-17V5 Transport helicopters will soon be equipped with the Israeli Spike Non-Line-of-Sight (NLOS) missile that has a range of 32km and as per media reports same will also be included in the ALH-Rudra and Prachand light attack helicopter soon.
Spike NLOS can take out targets from long ranges and can be very effective against enemy Armoured columns in times of conflict. Spike NLOS offers superior stand-off range over Air Launched ATGMs, but NLOS will be purchased in limited numbers as the focus remains to get Indian-made Air Launched ATGMs as main armaments of the Indian Attack Helicopters.
India is either planning to develop its own Spike NLOS class weapons system that can provide three times more stand-off range than locally developed Air Launched ATGMs or it will look to locally manufacture them under Licensing agreements.
Unlike missiles that rely on radar or infrared guidance, the Spike NLOS employs an electro-optical seeker that allows the launch operator to see targets. The seeker is also linked to a datalink, which allows the launch operator to control the missile in flight to attack different parts of a tank or choose another target or abort the strike entirely.
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