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IIT-Madras and BEL Develop 80mm Precision Rocket System for Helicopters

DEFENSE

IIT-Madras and Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) have developed an 80mm precision rocket system for helicopters, featuring a range of 10-12 kilometers. The project supports the Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative, aiming for self-reliance in defense.

The rocket, designed for precise unguided strikes, has completed successful trials at the Aeronautical Test Range in Chitradurga, achieving sub-10-meter accuracy. With a modular warhead design and solid-fuel propulsion, it is capable of speeds exceeding Mach 2.

Production at BEL's Bengaluru facility targets 5,000 units annually by 2028, with costs significantly lower than imports. This development enhances India's rotary-wing capabilities amid border tensions, complementing systems like the Helina missile. Future models may feature advanced seeker heads, and there is interest in exports to Southeast Asia.

IIT-Madras and BEL Develop 80mm Precision Rocket System for Helicopters
Feb 11, 2026, 6:19 AM

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