India Successfully Helicopter-Tests the SANT Missile

New Delhi: The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and the Indian Air Force (IAF) successfully flight-tested the Stand-off Anti-Tank (SANT) missile from Pokhran, Rajasthan, on Saturday.

A slow-motion video by the DRDO showcases the SANT missile launching from a helicopter and precisely hitting the target. Equipped with a Millimetre Wave (MMW) seeker to provide precision striking capabilities, the weapon can neutralize targets within a 10km range.

The Union Ministry of Defence said that the flight test successfully met its mission objectives. “The release mechanism, advanced guidance, and tracking algorithms, and all avionics with integrated software performed satisfactorily and tracking systems monitored all mission events,” the statement read.

The flight test of the SANT missile is the third in the indigenous stand-off weapon series to be tested after long-range bombs and smart anti-airfield weapons to strengthen the IAF arsenal.  “The indigenous developments with advanced technologies are a firm march towards aatmanirbharta in defence,” it added.

Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh congratulated the team involved as Defence Department R&D Secretary and DRDO Chairman, Dr. G.Satheesh Reddy, said, “The successful launch of the SANT missile will further bolster the indigenous defence capabilities.”

The missile was designed and developed by the Research Centre Imarat (RCI), Hyderabad, and DRDO labs and industries.

(Avya Mathur)