Context

A low-weight indigenously developed Man Portable Anti-Tank Guided Missile (MPATGM) was successfully flight tested for the second time from Ahmednagar test range.

About

• The MPATGM is a third-generation anti-tank guided missile (ATGM), which has been developed by DRDO in partnership with Indian defense contractor VEM Technologies Ltd.
• Fitted with a high-explosive anti-tank (HEAT) warhead, the MPATGM boasts a top attack capability and has a maximum engagement range of about 2.5 kilometers..
• Design and development of MPATGM weapon system is undertaken for deployment by Infantry and Parachute Battalions of the Indian Army.
• It is intended to be a replacement for second generation MILAN and Konkurs ATGMs in service with Indian Army.
• MPATGM will complement the Spike Anti-Tank Guided Missile to be procured from Israel.

Anti-tank Guided Missile (ATGM):

• The primary purpose of ATGM is to destroy enemy tanks and armoured vehicles.

Some important indigenously developed ATGM system in India:

Nag:

• It is a third-generation, fire-and-forget, anti-tank guided missile to support both mechanised infantry and airborne forces of the Indian Army.
• The Nag missile was indigenously developed under the Indian Ministry of Defence’s integrated guided missile development programme (IGMDP), which also involved the development of four other missiles that are Agni, Akash, Trishul and Prithvi.
• A passive imaging infrared (IIR) homing seeker guides the missile to the target after its launch in all lighting conditions.
• Nag can be launched from land and air-based platforms.
• Helicopter launched variant of Nag: The helicopter-launched configuration, designated as helicopter-launched NAG (HELINA), can be fired from Dhruv advanced light helicopter (ALH) and HAL Rudra (ALH WSI) attack helicopter.

Canon-launched Laser Guided Missile(CLGM)

• CLGM developed by DRDO is a semi-active laser homing canon launched missile that can be launched from a 120mm main gun of the Arjun Tank.
• The 5km range CLGM can target armoured vehicles, including tanks, as well as low flying aircraft. It can be fired from the barrel of the indigenous Arjun MBT, thus enhancing that platforms versatility as well as standalone system.

AMOGHA:

• Bharat Dynamics Limited a developed three versions of AMOGHA so far. Amogha -3 the latest of the three is a fire and forget, 3rd generation Anti-Tank Missile which is equipped with an Active Imaging infra-red (IIR) seeker.

Significance

• Currently, Indian Army has a requirement of around 68,000 anti-ATGMs of various types and over 850 launchers.
• It will help to meet the demand for anti-tank missiles by the defence forces without putting pressure on exchequers as this is indigenously built.

Spike Missiles:

It is an Israeli fourth-generation fire-and-forget anti-tank guided missile and anti-personnel missile with a tandem-charge HEAT warhead. It was developed and designed by the Israeli company Rafael Advanced Defense Systems. It is available in man-portable, vehicle-launched, and helicopter-launched variants