India successfully test fired helicopter launched Stand-off Anti-tank Missile

The indigenously designed and developed helicopter-launched stand-off anti-tank (SANT) missile successfully test fired from Mi-35 Hind attack helicopter, has the ability to neutralise targets in a range of up to 10 kilometres.

Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and Indian Air Force (IAF) flight-tested the indigenously designed and developed Helicopter launched Stand-off Anti-tank (SANT) Missile from Pokhran ranges on December 11, 2021. The flight-test was successful in meeting all its mission objectives. The release mechanism, advanced guidance and tracking algorithms, all avionics with integrated software, performed satisfactorily and tracking systems monitored all mission events. The missile is equipped with a state-of-the-art MMW seeker which provides high precision strike capability from a safe distance. The weapon can neutralise targets in a range up to 10 kms.

The SANT missile has been designed and developed by Research Centre Imarat (RCI), Hyderabad in coordination with other DRDO labs and participation from industries. This is the third in the series of indigenous stand-off weapons to be tested in recent times after long range bomb and smart anti airfield weapon for strengthening the arsenal of IAF. The indigenous development of various configurations for different applications with advanced technologies is a firm march towards ‘Aatmanirbharta’ in defence.

Stand-off Anti-tank (SANT) Missile is a 3rd Gen anti tank missile, Lock on Before Launch (LOBL) fire & forget Anti-Tank Guided Missiles.

The picture published by PIB clearly shows the missile destroyed the target with extremely high accuracy in both desert terrain and rugged frontier hills. The missile equipped with an advanced passive navigation system with the ability to precisely destroy the target. It is designed to destroy modern tanks and heavy armored targets. It also has night strike capabilities.

Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh has congratulated the team associated with the mission. Secretary Department of Defence R&D and Chairman DRDO Dr G Satheesh Reddy said the successful flight test of SANT missile would further bolster the indigenous defence capabilities.