DRDO Flight Test of MPATGM

January 13, 2022

The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) flight tested the Man Portable Anti-Tank Guided Missile (MPATGM), successfully.

Highlights

During the flight test, final deliverable configuration of the MPATGM was tested.
MPATGM is an indigenously developed anti-tank missile, a low weight and a ‘fire and forget’ missile.
It was launched from a launcher, which was man portable. It was integrated with thermal sight.
During the test, the missile impacted designated target with precision and destroyed it.

Why this test was conducted?

The missile was flight-tested to prove the consistent performance for missile system at its minimum range.

Significance of the flight test

In the modern-day battlefields, since World War I, development of ammunition which can beat the armours of tanks is an ongoing race, because of strategic importance of tanks and armoured vehicles.

Background

Indian Army has been mainly using several imported anti-tank guided missiles in the past while DRDO has been working on ATGMs, which can be launched from different platforms under the Integrated Guided Missile Development Programme. In the recent past, indigenously developed MPATGM, Helicopter launched ATGM Nag or Helina and ATGM Nag have been successfully tested. In December 2019, Indian government also procured Anti-Tank Spike missiles from Israel along with allied systems for meeting the operational requirements of Indian Army.

What is MPATGM?

The MPATGM, dubbed as “Man Portable Anti-Tank Guided Missile”, is a third-generation fire-and-forget anti-tank guided missile. It has been derived from Nag ATGM. It has been developed by DRDO in association with Indian defence contractor VEM Technologies Private Limited. It is a low weight, long cylindrical missile, comprising of four fins across its mid-section. The missile is fitted with high-explosive anti-tank (HEAT) warhead. It has a length of 1,300 mm and diameter of 120 mm. It has a weight of 14.5 kg. Command launch unit (CLU) of the missile is of 14.25 kg. Missile can cover a minimum range of 200-300 m and maximum range of 4 km.

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