The Indian Army's procurement strategy for Anti-Tank Guided Missiles (ATGMs) is under scrutiny, with questions being raised about the prioritization of foreign systems that have failed field trials, while domestically developed options, which have repeatedly proven their capabilities, await larger orders.
Recent reports indicate that both the Israeli Spike ATGM and the American Javelin ATGM have underperformed during Indian Army trials.
The Spike, acquired in limited numbers starting in 2019, reportedly encountered difficulties during tests conducted in the Thar Desert. Sources indicate the missile's sensors struggled to acquire targets in the extreme heat and dusty conditions prevalent in that region.
Similarly, the Javelin faced challenges during trials in the high-altitude terrain of Ladakh in September and October of 2024. Reports suggest the system did not fully meet expectations, potentially due to the older variant that was tested.
These failures have sparked criticism from defence analysts, who are questioning the rationale behind procuring these foreign systems, particularly when indigenous alternatives have demonstrated their effectiveness.
They point to the Man-Portable Anti-Tank Guided Missile (MPATGM) developed by India's Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), which has undergone extensive and rigorous testing, yet remains in the final user evaluation stages before induction.
The history of the Spike ATGM acquisition highlights the complexities of the situation. Initially selected in 2014 over the Javelin in a significant deal, the agreement was repeatedly canceled and revived, and finally, a limited number were procured in 2019 through fast track process.
This occurred despite reports that the Spike's sensors failed to consistently detect targets in the intense heat and dust of the Thar Desert, conditions representative of India's western border. Despite those failings limited number of Spike MR and LR missiles had been purchased to fulfill the immediate need.
The Javelin ATGM, famed for its fire-and-forget capability, was evaluated in Ladakh as part of ongoing discussions under the U.S.-India Defence Technology and Trade Initiative (DTTI). Trials were performed with intention to examine its performance in the thin air and freezing weather and performed alongside Stryker.
The results of tests, conducted at altitudes between 13,000 and 18,000 feet, were reportedly disappointing. The Army has requested further trials, but the initial outcome has intensified skepticism.
In contrast, India's indigenous ATGM programs have shown considerable promise. The MPATGM, a third-generation fire-and-forget missile, has successfully completed numerous trials across diverse terrains, including a successful warhead penetration test in August 2024.
With a 4 km range, a lightweight design, and advanced imaging infrared seekers, it is comparable to, or even surpasses, the capabilities of the Spike and Javelin.
Another indigenous system, the Nag ATGM, completed successful summer trials in 2019 and is reportedly ready for induction. The helicopter-launched version, Helina (known as Dhruvastra in the Indian Air Force), has also demonstrated its effectiveness, including a 7 km range capability, in high-altitude tests in Ladakh.
Despite these successes, these domestically developed systems have faced lengthy and rigorous testing procedures, often spanning a decade, while foreign systems with documented failures have, at times, been fast-tracked for procurement.
The discrepancy in treatment between foreign and indigenous systems has puzzled defence analysts. The temporary acceptance of underperforming foreign systems as "stop-gap" measures, exemplified by the Spike's partial induction despite desert trial failures, raises concerns. The Javelin's Ladakh setback, coupled with past reluctance from the U.S. to transfer crucial technologies, further complicates the argument for co-production.
While the need to address immediate operational requirements, particularly after the 2020 Galwan Valley clash, is understandable, critics argue that short-term solutions should not overshadow the long-term goal of self-reliance in defence production.
The Indian Ministry of Defence (MoD) issued a Request for Information (RFI) in October 2024 for 1,500 ATGMs under the "Buy (Indian-IDDM)" category, which prioritizes indigenous design, development, and manufacturing. This may signal a shift towards greater reliance on domestic solutions, albeit after a period of favoring foreign systems that have faced performance issues in Indian conditions.
