Anti-tank missile completes all trials

Context:

The Defence Research and Development Laboratory (DRDL) Hyderabad, a laboratory of the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has completed all trials of the indigenously made Nag Anti-Tank Guided Missile (ATGM), Helina.

Relevance:

Prelims, GS-III: Science and Technology (Defence Technology)

Dimensions of the Article:

1. About Nag Anti-Tank Guided Missile (ATGM)
2. About Nag – Helina & Dhruvastra Missiles
3. About the Integrated Guided Missile Development Programme (IGMDP)

About Nag Anti-Tank Guided Missile (ATGM)

• Nag is a third-generation, fire-and-forget, anti-tank guided missile developed by India’s state-owned Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) to support both mechanised infantry and airborne forces of the Indian Army.
• It is an all-weather condition with day and night capabilities and with a minimum range of 500m and maximum range of 4 km.
• Nag can be launched from land and air-based platforms. The land version is currently available for integration on the Nag missile carrier (NAMICA)
• The helicopter-launched configuration, designated as helicopter-launched NAG (HELINA), can be fired from Dhruv advanced light helicopter (ALH) and HAL Rudra (ALH WSI) attack helicopter.
• DRDO has developed nag Missiles under the Integrated Guided Missile Development Program.

About Nag – Helina & Dhruvastra Missiles

• The Helina (the Army version) and Dhruvastra (Indian Airforce version) are helicopter-launched versions of third-generation anti-tank guided missiles (the Nag missile system), designed and developed indigenously by the DRDO.
• Helina is a Helicopter based NAG which is a third-generation fire and forget class anti-tank guided missile (ATGM) system mounted on the Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH). The system can hit a target with a minimum range of 500 m and a maximum range of 7 km.
• The missile is guided by an Infrared Imaging Seeker (IIR), which makes it one of the most advanced Anti-Tank Weapons in the world.
• The missile system has all-weather day and night capability. It can penetrate through the conventional armor and can also destroy the explosive reactive armor.
• The missile can engage targets both in direct hit mode as well as top attack mode.
• The Indian Air Force has asked for the feasibility of integrating the Helina on the soon-to-be inducted Light Combat Helicopter (LCH) which will add to the current weapon arsenal of the Indian Air Force.

Back to the Basics: About the Integrated Guided Missile Development Programme (IGMDP)

• The Integrated Guided Missile Development Programme (IGMDP) was conceived by renowned scientist Dr. A P J Abdul Kalam to enable India attain self-sufficiency in the field of missile technology.
• Dr. Kalam, the then Director of Defence Research & Development Laboratory (DRDL), headed a Missile Study Team to weigh the feasibility of the programme. The team included members from the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), the Army, Navy and Air Force, and Defence Production.
• Keeping in mind the requirements of various types of missiles by the defence forces, the team recommended development of five missile systems. The IGMDP finally got the approval from the Government of India on July 26, 1983. The ambitious, time-bound project brought together the country’s scientific community, academic institutions, R&D laboratories, industries and the three Services in giving shape to the strategic, indigenous missile systems.

The missiles developed under the programme were

1. Short-range surface-to-surface ballistic missile Prithvi
2. Intermediate-range surface-to-surface ballistic missile Agni
3. Short-range low-level surface-to-air missile Trishul
4. Medium-range surface-to-air missile Akash
5. Third generation anti-tank missile Nag

-Source: The Hindu