The Helghast Army was the main military force of the Helghan Empire. The Army's earliest origins traced back to the Helghan Corporation's militias, which policed the Alpha Centauri system alongside the local Interplanetary Strategic Alliance contingent, and later fought and lost against the United Colonial Nations in the First Extrasolar War. By the 24th century, the Helghast Army was remilitarized under the reign of Scolar Visari and again waged war against the ISA during the Second Extrasolar War. Following the Terracide, the Helghast Army was reconstituted into New Helghan as the New Helghan Army.[1]
History[]
The early Helghan Corporation militias was founded in coincidence with the establishment of the Helghan Protectorate in 2138.[2] As the militias were not directly part of the ISA or UCN/UCA chain of command, the ISA imposed strict limitations on their size and equipment, and having their officers provided by the ISA. Because of this, the Helghan Militia were less experienced and under-equipped than their ISA counterparts, and limited to only customs, police and ceremonial duties.[2]
During the outbreak of the First Extrasolar War, the Helghan corporate forces relied on overwhelming numbers against the ISA contingent garrisoning the system. However, they were unable to eliminate the ISA, which many of their forces have escaped in the initial fighting and conducted hit-and-run operations against the corporate forces. Eventually, the corporate forces were brutally routed by the combined forces of the more technologically superior UCA and ISA in 2202.[2]
Intervening Years[]
At some point after the resettlement of Helghan, the reformed Helghan Administration established a standing army to protect itself and enforce its authority.
In 2347, the Army lend in their support of Scolar Visari in overthrowing the Administration in a successful military coup. Agreeing to Visari's ten year proposal, the Army would be at the center of the new Helghan Empire's efforts, enlarging the military and transforming the nation from a starving and impoverished refugee world into a galactic superpower, and the greatest threat to the United Colonial Nations.[2]
Second Extrasolar War[]
The Helghast military invaded the UCN's breadbasket, Vekta, in August of 2357. In a matter of hours, two thirds of the planet fell to the invaders, including the planetary capital, Vekta City. However, once the element of surprise had worn off, surviving ISA soldiers successfully withdrew to several staging areas where they began counterattacks against the Helghast, slowing down and eventually halting the invaders' advance. This, combined with UCN reinforcements, had pushed the Helghast forces below the equator, where the frontlines would remain for virtually the rest of the Vektan Campaign.
While the Helghast were eventually defeated on Vekta, the incredible amount of death and destruction wreaked across Vekta showed the galaxy that the Helghast were no longer a weak, ineffective force to dismiss. Two years later, the Helghast proved themselves to be equally vicious and determined defenders as their attackers during the ISA's counter-invasion of Helghan, forcing the technologically and numerically superior ISA into a slow and costly urban war, before eventually routing and destroying the majority of the ISA forces, save for two small enclaves stranded in the wilderness, forced into hiding on Helghan.
The Army became involved in the political power struggle between Admiral Orlock and Jorhan Stahl of Stahl Arms following the death of Scolar Visari. The rivalry escalated into open civil war as Orlock led the Army against Stahl and his forces, in an attempt to eliminate Stahl and taking control of Stahl's armada that were loaded with irradiated Petrusite weapons to be use in the invasion of Earth. However, the infighting allowed the ISA remnants to destroy Stahl's remaining ships and leading to the Terracide, which destroyed the Empire and the Army was left in ruins.
Vektan Cold War[]
After the Terracide, what remained of the Army resettled in New Helghan, the successor state of the former Helghan Empire, where they are incorporated into New Helghan's security force and the New Helghan Army. Former veterans of the Second Extrasolar War also joined the Black Hand terrorist group.
Unknown to the public, a large majority of the Helghast remained on Helghan since the Terracide and for over three decades had been secretly working to restore their military might, and to finally defeating the Vektans. In 2390, the Helghast were preparing to launch a full-scale invasion of Vekta. However, their planned attack has been stalled with the death of Jorhan Stahl.
Doctrine and Personnel[]
Pre-Helghan Terracide[]
The army favored strict specialization of its soldiers, forbidding non-certified soldiers from utilizing weapons or undertaking roles they were not trained for.
The Third Shock Army was among the most infamous, well trained and well-equipped units of the Helghast military, spending six months enduring intensive training to seize Vekta through force. The regular Helghast Troopers and Assault Soldiers formed the bulk of troops within the first wave, supported by special forces troops like the Elite Soldiers.
The core of the Helghast infantry defending Helghan from the ISA counter-invasion were the Assault Infantry, Shock Troopers, Riflemen, Support Troopers, and LMG Troopers.
Elite units of Commandos, Elite Shock Troopers, Pyro Troopers and others supplemented the defences.
Post-Helghan Terracide[]
New Helghan soldiers.
The catastrophic loss of life of the Helghast population caused by the Terracide forced the remnants of the Helghast Army to shift away from the attrition warfare of the past and harness its technological prowess to develop a new breed of soldiers. Restructuring itself from the massed formations of the Second Extrasolar War, its strategic focus shifted towards obtaining victory outside of total war and towards defensive actions and urban pacification.[1]
With the shift away from massed formations of expendable, fanatical soldiers, the Army developed new military equipment to outfit valued soldiers with the same amount of firepower and overwhelming force as their predecessor formations.[1] They are trained and equipped to have an edge when and wherever possible, without starting open warfare on the endless Vektan border. In addition is an increased reliance on robotic drones to supplement its numbers, which altogether has culminated into producing a lethal successor army.
The key specializations within the New Helghan military are the Assault Trooper, Commando and Engineer.
Known Units[]
- Helghast First Army
- Third Shock Army
- Autarch’s Guard - Scolar Visari's personal bodyguard.
- 9th Division - Colonel Radec's unit during his tour on Vekta.
- Colonial Guard - an elite Helghast Third Army unit responsible for protecting high-ranking officers and carrying out their special assignments.
Enemy Archetypes[]
| Unit | Description |
|---|---|
| Assault Soldier | Heavily armored soldiers. |
| Base Commander | Senior officers of the Helghast Third Army. |
| Bodyguard | Tasked to defend senior officers. |
| Bounty Hunter | |
| Elite Soldier | |
| Grenadier | |
| Heavy Commando | |
| Trooper | |
| Officer |
| Unit | Description |
|---|---|
| Air Trooper | |
| Assault Soldier | |
| Base Commander | |
| Bodyguard | Tasked to defend senior officers. |
| Bounty Hunter | |
| Grenadier | |
| Guard Dog | |
| Guard Trooper | |
| Heavy Commando | |
| ISA Honor Guard | |
| Pyro Trooper | |
| Scout | |
| Shock Trooper | |
| Sniper | |
| Specialist | |
| Trooper | |
| Supreme Trooper |
| Unit | Description |
|---|---|
| Assault Infantry | Veritable backbone of the Helghast forces. Attack in large groups and utilize cover during combat. |
| Advanced Assault Infantry | Identical to the regular Assault Infantry but more heavily armoured and skilled at combat. Whilst they continue to utilise cover, they will not hesitate to charge in for melee attacks if their enemies get too close. |
| Advanced Shock Trooper | Personal protectors of the Autarch and any of the high-ranking officials that serve him. |
| Commando | Heavily armored troopers equipped with LS13 Shotguns. |
| Elite Shock Trooper | Hardened veterans of war trained to hunt down and kill the most experienced ISA soldiers. |
| Grenadier | Equipped with M327 Grenade Launchers. |
| Heavy Weapons Trooper | Heavily armored troopers equipped with miniguns. |
| Light Shock Trooper | Equipped with StA-11 Submachine Gun and combat knives. Use rush tactics to attack enemies at close range. |
| LMG Trooper | Act as support units and recognized for their ferocity among the Helghast ranks. |
| Miner | Wield StA-3 Light Machine Gun. Encounter exclusively in the Wastelands. |
| Mounted Gunner | Trained specifically to man and defend mounted gun emplacements. |
| Pyro Trooper | Armed with the VC1 Flamethrower. Specialize in clearing out enemy trenches and bunkers. |
| Rifleman | Marksmen trained to fire StA-14 Rifle with great accuracy. Prefer to retain a greater distance from their targets. |
| Helghast Sniper | Equipped with a laser-sighted sniper rifle. Can take down an enemy with a single bullet. |
| Support Trooper | Heavy infantry equipped with a VC9 Rocket Launcher. |
Basic Soldiers[]
| Unit | Description |
|---|---|
| Assault Infantry | Veritable backbone of the Helghast forces. |
| Advanced Assault Infantry | Heavily armored and skilled at combat. |
| LMG Trooper | Troopers armed with StA-3s to rain down fire on enemies and to keep them suppressed. |
| Mounted Gunner | Trained specifically to man and defend mounted guns. |
Close Quarters Soldiers[]
| Unit | Description |
|---|---|
| Pyro Trooper | Armed with VC1 Flamethrowers and specialize in clearing out enemy trenches and bunkers. Wear brominated flame-retardant suit that offers a temporary shield from the flames. |
| Shock Trooper | Use speed and agility to advance and attack enemies at close range. Carries StA-11 Submachine Gun, smoke grenades and combat knife. |
| Elite Shock Trooper | Highly trained and strategically skilled special forces troopers. |
| Commando | Use LS13 Shotguns to take out opponents from short distances. |
| HAZMAT Trooper | Well-armored soldier equipped with a version of the VC5 Arc Rifle. Due to their superior armor, and their Arc Rifle, they prefer to advance steadily on their enemies from medium range. |
| Capture Trooper | Use their body armor to absorb impacts while charging enemies and prefers to knock them to the ground in order to deliver a devastating blow. |
Long Range Soldiers[]
| Unit | Description |
|---|---|
| Rifleman | Specialized in fortifying the rear ranks of the battlefield. Set up in well covered positions behind lines of Advanced Infantry and more agile range troops. |
| Sniper | Use a high power VC32 Sniper Rifle to pick off enemies at long range, and use cover where possible. |
Specialists[]
| Unit | Description |
|---|---|
| Support Trooper | Specifically trained to take out vehicles. Armed with VC9 Rocket Launcher. |
| Jetpack Trooper | Specially trained Helghast soldier that uses a StA-X6 Jetpack to engage enemies. Fly above enemies to engage them in aerial surprise attacks. |
| Unit | Description |
|---|---|
| Armadillo Trooper | |
| Assault Trooper | |
| Commando | |
| Helghast Sniper |
Arsenal[]
Armory[]
| Image | Name | Description |
|---|---|---|
|
StA-3 | Light Machine Gun |
|
StA-11 | Submachine Gun |
|
StA-14 | Battle Rifle |
|
StA-18 | Handgun |
|
StA-52 | Assault Rifle |
|
StA-62 | Rotary medium machine gun |
|
VC1 | Flamethrower |
|
VC8 | Handgun |
|
VC9 | Rocket Launcher |
|
VC21 | Bolt Gun |
|
VC32 | Sniper Rifle |
Drones[]
| Name | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|
 Spider Mine |
Attack Drone | - Mobile mine capable of scurrying after its opponent and detonating. |
 Sentry Drone |
Security Drone | - Programmed to enforce perimeter security. Armed with dual StA-3 LMGs. |
Land Vehicles[]
| Model | Role | Description |
|---|---|---|
 HGH Tank |
Heavy Tank | |
 Heavy Hovertank |
Heavy Tank | - Anti-gravity assault tank. |
 Jet Bike |
Reconnaissance and harassment vehicle | |
 Light Hovertank |
Light Tank | Light anti-gravity tank. |
 Hover APC |
Armoured Personnel Carrier | Comes in three models: infantry carrier, Anti-Aircraft and MRL. |
 Tracked APC |
Armoured Personnel Carrier | - Carry up to 6 passengers |
| Helghast Arc APC | Armoured Personnel Carrier | - Standard APC chassis equipped with an Arc Cannon for anti-aircraft defence. |
 Trooper Carrier |
UGV | - Robotic walker capable of carrying infantry. |
 MAWLR |
Mech |
Aerial Vehicles[]
| Name | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|
 ATAC |
Flying Assault Vehicle | |
 Jet Fighter |
Fighter Aircraft | - Most prominent fighter during the war on Vekta and in defence of Helghan. |
 Leech Pod |
Boarding Craft | |
 Overlord Dropship |
Transport Vehicle | - Standard infantry deployment and insertion aircraft. |
 Stinger |
Patrol Craft | - Operated by Helghan Police. |
Sea Vehicles[]
| Name | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|
 Assault Boat |
Assault Boat | - Carry up to 6 passengers |
 Attack Boat |
Fast Attack Craft |
Spacecraft[]
| Name | Manufacturer | Notes |
|---|---|---|
 Strike Fighter |
Aerospace Fighter | - Equipped with troop capacity and armed with petrusite warheads. |
 Helghast Cruiser |
Thoralf-Sigurd-Vig | - Versatile cruiser that is the workhorse of the Helghast fleet. |
 Arc Cruiser |
Stahl Arms | - Advanced warship equipped with petrusite bombardment cannons for surface attack. |
 Khage |
Stahl Arms | - Advanced cruiser equipped with energy shielding. Destroyed. |
Armory[]
| Image | Name | Description |
|---|---|---|
| BLR08 Hadra | Rocket Launcher | |
|
PnV06 Voltage | Petrusite Cannon |
| StA4 Stova | Light Machine Gun | |
|
StA19 Reigner | Pistol |
|
StA25 Vlug | Submachine Gun |
|
StA59B Pulver | Assault Rifle |
|
StA61 Vultur | Sniper Rifle |
|
StA101 Kameraad | Assault Rifle |
|
StA409 Keyzer | Assault Rifle |
|
VC15 Judaz | Pistol |
|
VC30 Sickle | Shotgun |
|
Vns12A Purger | Minigun |
Drones[]
| Name | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|
Spider Mine |
Attack Drone | - Mobile mine capable of scurrying after its opponent and detonating. |
ATAC |
Flying Assault Vehicle | |
 Walking Attack Drone |
Attack Drone |
Land Vehicles[]
| Model | Role | Description |
|---|---|---|
 MAWLR |
Mech |
Aerial Vehicles[]
| Name | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|
Overlord Dropship |
Transport Vehicle | - Standard infantry deployment and insertion aircraft. |
Spacecraft[]
| Name | Manufacturer | Notes |
|---|---|---|
Helghast Cruiser |
Thoralf-Sigurd-Vig | - Versatile cruiser that is the workhorse of the Helghast fleet. |
Gallery[]
Concept Art[]
Trivia[]
- The Helghast's distinctive gas mask and goggles are based on a conceptual art depicting World War I-era goggles on a soldier's face, over a World War II-era Russian oxygen mask. The goggles were later added with a reddish orange after test players complained how enemy soldiers were hardly visible against some of the backdrops in Killzone. Furthermore, the dehumanizing effect of the Helghast's masks and goggles are deliberately evocative of World War I in order to bring to mind the intensity of trench warfare and the way soldiers were viewed as utterly expendable, which matches the Helghast's views on their people.[3]
- The Helghast's uniforms and attire are purposely developed to mimic the German forces of the First and Second World War. However, their attire and gas masks are also based on Russian uniforms and designs from Stalinist Russia.[3]
- Occasionally when the player is killed in Killzone 2, 3 and more often in Mercenary and Shadow Fall the Helghast soldier responsible will taunt the player's corpse as they die, provided the soldier is close by and facing the player.
The Helghast Soldier appears as a Minion in PlayStation All-Stars Battle Royale.
- A Helghast Soldier appears as a unlockable minion in PlayStation All-Stars Battle Royale as well other Helghast characters as icons.
- The Helghast Sackboy Costume was released on the PSN Store for LittleBigPlanet and included 32 Killzone-themed stickers.
- Interestingly, the Helghast soldiers had Dutch names in the multiplayer of Killzone, as did multiplayer bots in Killzone 2. This is likely because the game developers are Dutch.