MBDA’s PARS 3 LR guided missile system has been shortlisted for the Indian Army helicopter future air-to-ground requirement. MBDA Deutschland has delivered proposals for its PARS 3 LR multi-target, long range weapon system for HAL’s advanced light helicopter (ALH Dhruv) and for two attack helicopters, the Kamov KA-52 and the MIL MI-28.

Within the framework of MBDA Deutschland’s export campaign for India, three PARS 3 LR 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 7,000 m and the second against a moving target at a range of 700 m. The third firing was carried out with the helicopter in fast forward flight against a static target at a range of 7,000 m.

Werner Kaltenegger, Managing Director of MBDA Deutschland, said, “I am delighted that the Indian Army has shortlisted PARS 3 LR 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 3 LR 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.”