India has recently made headlines with the successful test-firing of indigenously-developed anti-tank guided missile systems, ‘Helina’ and ‘Dhruvastra’, carried out in the Pokhran range of the Thar desert in Rajasthan. These developments mark significant strides in Indian defence technology and highlight the nation’s growing capabilities.
About Helina and Dhruvastra
To understand their significance, we need to delve into what these systems represent. Helina, the Army version, and Dhruvastra, the version designated for the Indian Airforce, are helicopter-launched versions of the third-generation anti-tank guided missile system known as the Nag missile system. This system boasts a comprehensive all-weather day-and-night capability, enabling it to effectively counter battle tanks equipped with conventional armor and explosive reactive armor.
Indigenous Development
These missile systems are the product of domestic ingenuity, having been designed and developed at home by India’s Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO). Such indigenous development is a powerful testament to India’s growing technological prowess in the field of defence.
Operating Modes of Helina and Dhruvastra
Helina and Dhruvastra boast impressive flexibility in engagement, with capabilities to target both in direct hit mode and top attack mode. The top attack mode necessitates the missile to climb sharply after launch, travel at a certain altitude, and then descend to strike the target from above. On the other hand, the direct attack mode sees the missile cruising at a lower altitude, aiming for a direct collision with the target.
About the Nag Missile
The Nag missile, or the parent system of Helina and Dhruvastra, is a third-generation, fire-and-forget, anti-tank guided missile developed by DRDO specifically to bolster the mechanized infantry and airborne forces of the Indian Army. Capable of functioning in all weather conditions and having day-night capabilities, Nag has a minimum range of 500m and a maximum range of 4 km. It can be launched from both land and air-based platforms. The land version is ready for integration on the Nag missile carrier (NAMICA).
The Integrated Guided Missile Development Program
The Nag missile comes under the ambit of the Integrated Guided Missile Development Program (IGMDP). This program was conceived by Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam to make India self-reliant in the domain of missile technology. The government gave its approval for this ambitious initiative in 1983, and the program concluded successfully in March 2012. Under IGMDP, five missiles were developed: Prithvi, a short-range surface-to-surface ballistic missile; Agni, a series of ballistic missiles with varying ranges; Trishul, a short-range low-level surface to air missile; Nag, the anti-tank missile just discussed; and Akash, a medium-range surface-to-air missile.
By these achievements, India continues to demonstrate its commitment to maintaining robust defence capabilities through home-grown solutions. These developments underscore the country’s continued progress in the field of missile technology.