Indian Army to Acquire 200 Upgraded "Konkurs-M" Wire-Guided Anti-Tank Guided Missile Systems for BMP-2 IFVs

In a move to enhance its anti-tank capabilities, the Indian Army is procuring 200 new and upgraded Konkurs-M missile systems, specifically designed for its fleet of BMP-2 Infantry Fighting Vehicles (IFVs). This acquisition is part of the army's ongoing modernization efforts to ensure its armored units remain combat-ready and effective against evolving threats on the battlefield.

The Konkurs-M represents the latest iteration of this potent anti-tank weapon system. As a second-generation, semi-automatic, wire-guided anti-tank guided missile (ATGM), it is recognized for its reliability, precision, and ability to neutralize a variety of armored targets, including those equipped with reactive armor. This acquisition underscores the Indian Army's confidence in the Konkurs system's combat effectiveness and adaptability to modern warfare.

The BMP-2 IFV, a cornerstone of the Indian Army's mechanized infantry units, is a versatile platform employed for both troop transport and direct fire support. Integrating the upgraded Konkurs-M missile system significantly enhances the BMP-2's capacity to eliminate heavily armored threats, such as modern main battle tanks, at ranges exceeding 4 kilometers. The improved Konkurs-M boasts enhanced guidance and penetration capabilities, ensuring greater accuracy and lethality in complex operational environments.

The upgraded Konkurs system introduces several key advancements:

• Improved Armor Penetration: The system is engineered to defeat modern armor, including explosive reactive armor (ERA), ensuring its effectiveness against contemporary and future armored vehicles.
• Extended Range: With a maximum effective range of up to 4 kilometers, the Konkurs-M provides a crucial standoff advantage, enabling troops to engage targets from safer distances and minimizing their exposure to enemy fire.
• Advanced Guidance System: The semi-automatic command-to-line-of-sight (SACLOS) guidance system guarantees precise targeting while reducing the risk to operators.
• Adaptability: Designed for both vehicle-mounted and dismounted operations, the system offers tactical flexibility across diverse combat scenarios.

 

[The Presence]

1 ATGM won't change much of anything.

Russian BMPs have 4 ATGMs. We should've went for that setup.

 

[Tower]

Why are we using these obsolete 2nd generation atgms while we have 3rd gen missiles in our inventory?

 

[Satya Dev]

Meanwhile China already has the mobile AFT-10s armed with 8 ready-to-fire Spike NLOS cloned ATGM missiles & PA01 ‘intelligent tactical precision strike platform' with 12 canisterised CM-501 precision attack ‘fire and forget’ anti-tank missiles capable of striking targets at ranges of 40km. The missile seems to be a copy of the US Precision Attack Missile (XM-501) which did not make it through development. So the Chinese copied the US weapon designation number as well. An extended version of the Chinese missile is likely to have ‘lock on after launch’ capability, enabling the missile to strike targets at a range of 70 km.