Indian Army short-lists MBDA's PARS-3LR guided anti-tank missile

European missile developer, MBDA's PARS-3LR (long range) guided missile system has been short-listed for the Indian Army's helicopter future air-to-ground requirement. MBDA Deutschland has delivered proposals for its PARS-3LR multi-target, long range weapon system for HAL's Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH) Dhruv and for two other attack helicopters, the Kamov Ka-52 Alligator and the MIL Mi-28 Night Hunter.

MBDA is a missile developer and manufacturer with operations in Britain, France, Germany, and Italy.

Keeping in mind the Indian Army's requirement, three PARS-3LR firings were carried out from a German Tiger helicopter at the Vidsel test range in Sweden in April 2011.

All three missiles were equipped with live warheads and all three struck their intended targets at the optimal hit points. Two firings were carried out within one minute of each other, the first against a static target at a range of 7,000m and the second against a moving target at a range of 700m. The third firing was carried out with the helicopter in fast forward flight against a static target at a range of 7,000m.

Werner Kaltenegger, managing director of MBDA Deutschland, said: "I am delighted that the Indian Army has short listed PARS-3LR for its procurement project. This represents a further confirmation of the close partnership MBDA has developed with India over the years. The successful industrial trials confirm the high level of reliability of the PARS-3LR guided missile system. We are proud to offer the Indian Army such a powerful fire-and-forget system that can deploy precision attacks against a wide range of targets".