The Hindu : National : Nag may join Army soon: Saraswat

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Nag may join Army soon: Saraswat

Y. Mallikarjun

HYDERABAD: With the third generation anti-tank Nag missile proving its lethality in the final user trials being conducted in the deserts of Rajasthan, a top missile scientist of the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) expressed optimism about its induction into the Army soon.

The Army, which conducted winter trials of the missile’s land version in December, began the summer trials earlier this week. While four flight tests were completed by Thursday, three more were slated for Friday night.

Talking to The Hindu here on Friday, V. K. Saraswat, Chief Controller, R&D (missiles and strategic systems), DRDO, described the Nag as a modern and “very potent weapon system with high reliability in performance and damage.”

With the all-weather system proving its capability in the latest round of trials, he hoped its production and induction would begin by the year-end.

Successful trials

The hit-to-kill missile, designed to take a unique trajectory resembling that of a moving cobra , smashed stationary targets (derelict tanks) in the four trials.

While two targets were of medium range, one each was of shorter and longer range (four km).

Using an Imaging Infra-red (IIR) seeker, the missile, with fire-and-forget capability, acquired the targets and caused extensive damage to them.

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