Country's first weaponised chopper, 'Rudra', is all set to be inducted into the Army Aviation Corps soon. Defence officials said in New Delhi on Monday, Rudra, is the first weaponised chopper built in the country by the Hindustan Aeronautics Limited, HAL.

Armed with an array of guns, rocket pods, air-to-air and anti-tank guided missiles, the fleet of the weaponised helicopters has been approved for induction as part of modernisation and capability development efforts by the government. AIR correspondent reports, Army's aerial firepower capabilities are set to get a boost with the induction of the attack version of indigenously-built Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH), Rudra.

Rudra is an armed variant of the ALH Dhruva chopper. Necessary changes have been made in the airframe of the chopper to give it agility and speed to make it a suitable support weapon for the ground troops. The chopper has been named 'Rudra', one of the names of Lord Shiva who is worshipped as the destroyer of enemies, to signify the helicopter's firepower and capabilities.

The 5.5 tonne class twin engine chopper has a number of advanced features such as Automatic Flight Control and Integrated Dynamic System. With Full Authority Digital Electronic Control, the chopper can cruise at the speed of 250 kms per hour. The Hindustan Aeronautics Limited is also in the final stage of developing a Light Combat Helicopter which will be inducted in both the army and the Indian Air Force soon.