- Views: 226
- Replies: 1
The Indian Army's infantry is poised for a significant firepower enhancement as the indigenously developed Man-Portable Anti-Tank Guided Missile (MPATGM) system is on schedule for operational clearance by 2026.
This timeline follows a series of successful developmental and user trials, with most evaluations expected to conclude next year.
Developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), the MPATGM is a third-generation "fire-and-forget" weapon. It is specifically designed to destroy enemy tanks and armoured vehicles, even those protected by modern explosive reactive armour (ERA).
The system has received strong endorsements from Army evaluators during joint tests, particularly for its effectiveness in high-altitude and urban warfare scenarios.
Once inducted, the MPATGM will replace the Army's ageing second-generation, wire-guided missiles, such as the French-origin MILAN and the Soviet-era 9M113 Konkurs. This transition represents a major milestone for India's "Atmanirbhar Bharat" (self-reliant) policy in critical defence technologies.
Strategic Importance and Development
The requirement for a modern, lightweight anti-tank weapon was starkly highlighted during the 2020 border clashes in Galwan, where portable systems proved decisive.The MPATGM is DRDO's answer to this need, providing a mobile and precise lethal option for infantry, special forces, and parachute brigades.
The project was officially sanctioned by the Ministry of Defence in 2015 with a budget of ₹73.46 crore, aiming to create a man-portable version of the existing Nag ATGM.
State-owned Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL) was designated the lead production agency, inaugurating a dedicated manufacturing facility in Bhanur, Telangana, in 2018.
While the COVID-19 pandemic delayed the trial schedule, DRDO continued to refine the system. Its introduction is expected to drastically reduce import dependency for such missiles.
Advanced Features and Capabilities
The MPATGM's design is comparable to top global systems like the American FGM-148 Javelin and the Israeli Spike, while boasting over 90% indigenous content.- Guidance: The missile features an advanced Imaging Infrared (IIR) seeker, which allows it to lock onto a target's heat signature. This enables "fire-and-forget" capability, meaning the operator can launch the missile and immediately move to cover, a crucial advantage on a modern battlefield.
- Portability: The entire system, including the missile (14.5 kg) and the Command Launch Unit (CLU) with its tripod (14.25 kg), weighs under 30 kg, making it operable by a two-person crew.
- Range: It is designed to engage targets from a minimum distance of 200 metres up to a maximum range of 4,000 metres (4 km).
- Warhead: It is equipped with a tandem HEAT (High-Explosive Anti-Tank) warhead. This two-stage charge first defeats the tank's outer reactive armour before the main charge penetrates the primary armour, capable of defeating over 650 mm of RHA.
- Attack Modes: The missile supports two flight profiles: a direct-attack mode for hitting targets head-on and a top-attack mode, where it dives from above to strike the tank's turret, which is typically its weakest point.
Rigorous Trials and Path to Induction
The MPATGM has undergone a comprehensive series of trials to meet the Army's strict operational requirements.- 2018-2019: Initial flight tests in Rajasthan confirmed the missile's basic performance and top-attack capability.
- 2021-2022: Post-pandemic trials validated the system's performance at both minimum and maximum engagement ranges using miniaturised seekers.
- 2024: Pivotal trials at the Pokhran Field Firing Range successfully demonstrated the tandem warhead's ability to penetrate contemporary armour, confirming the system's "fire-and-forget" accuracy.
The system's clearance will resolve a long-standing procurement dilemma for the Army, which had previously explored and imported limited numbers of Israeli Spike missiles as a stop-gap.
The MPATGM provides a long-term, domestically produced solution, with serial production at BDL and private partner VEM Technologies expected to begin deliveries in 2027.
