Indian Army Completes Third Trials of New MPATGM Anti-Tank Missile System.

The Defence Research and Development Organization (DRDO) successfully completed the test firing of its indigenously developed Man-Portable Anti-Tank Guided Missile (MP-ATGM) on August 16, 2024. This test, the third for the missile system, was conducted at the Pokhran Firing Range, approximately 112 kilometers from Jaisalmer, Rajasthan.
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Indian Man-Portable Anti-Tank Guided Missile, MP-ATGM (Picture source: Wikimedia and Indian MoD)

The MP-ATGM is a lightweight and portable missile system designed to neutralize enemy tanks and armored vehicles. This comprehensive system includes the missile, a launcher, a target acquisition system, and a fire control unit. It is designed to be deployed quickly and effectively in various combat scenarios, providing a crucial strategic advantage to Indian forces in modern warfare.

This advanced weapon system is also equipped with a state-of-the-art Imaging Infrared (IIR) seeker, enabling it to engage targets with high precision, both day and night. The missile has a range of up to 2.5 kilometers and weighs less than 15 kilograms, making it highly portable and suitable for use by infantry and special forces.

During the test, the missile demonstrated its "fire and forget" capability, successfully hitting its target with remarkable accuracy. Thanks to its dual-mode seeker functionality, the system can perform "top attack" and "direct attack" missions, further enhancing its versatility on the battlefield.

This indigenous development is expected to significantly strengthen the combat capabilities of the Indian Army, providing a robust solution to counter armored threats without relying on foreign manufacturers.

Defense Minister Rajnath Singh congratulated the DRDO scientists and engineers on their achievement, calling it a "major step towards self-reliance" in defense technology.

According to the Ministry of Defense, the complete MPATGM system, including launchers, a target acquisition device, and a fire control unit, has been tested in various flight configurations on the field, demonstrating its technological superiority.

A sufficient number of firing trials have been successfully conducted to meet the full operational envelope as required by the General Staff Qualitative Requirements. "The penetration trials of the MPATGM's tandem warhead system have been completed, proving it capable of defeating modern main battle tanks," said the Indian Defense Minister.

The MPATGM, a third-generation fire-and-forget anti-tank guided missile, is derived from India's Nag missile. Developed in partnership with the Indian defense contractor VEM Technologies Private Limited, the missile features a cylindrical shape with a length of 130 cm and a diameter of 12 cm, equipped with two sets of four radial fins, with the larger ones in the middle and the smaller ones at the tail. The missile is fitted with a High-Explosive Anti-Tank (HEAT) warhead and is launched from a tube made of aluminum and carbon fiber to minimize weight. The launch unit, weighing 14.25 kg, incorporates a laser designator with an all-weather digital sight and has an effective range of 200 to 4,000 meters.

On December 20, 2017, India canceled a major deal to acquire Israeli Spike anti-tank guided missiles in favor of the DRDO's MPATGM, deeming technology transfer unnecessary. However, the deal was reauthorized during Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's visit in January 2018 but was canceled again in June 2019 after DRDO committed to delivering the MPATGM by 2021. Meanwhile, the Indian Army purchased a limited number of Spike missiles to meet immediate needs until the MPATGM was ready. The user trials of the MPATGM, initially planned for completion by 2020, were delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Once inducted, the MPATGM will replace the second-generation MILAN and 9M113 Konkurs anti-tank guided missiles used by the infantry, parachute, and special forces. As a reminder, in June 2024, the Indian press announced that India and the United States were considering the co-production of Javelin anti-tank missiles on Indian soil.

The project envisions the integration of advanced technologies and the establishment of local production that could not only meet the immediate needs of the Indian Army but also promote the country's technological independence in the defense sector. Discussions between the two countries are not new, but they are taking a more concrete turn with implementation plans that will soon be unveiled. "The Indian partner for the joint venture will be selected later," sources indicated, noting that discussions are at a preliminary but promising stage.