New Delhi: Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has crossed a major milestone in armoured warfare capability with its Cannon Launched Anti-Tank Guided Missile (CLATGM)—code-named SAMHO—receiving Acceptance of Necessity (AoN) from the Ministry of Defence (MoD) for procurement and induction on the Arjun Main Battle Tank (MBT).
This long-awaited clearance paves the way for production and deployment of an advanced fire-and-forget anti-armour system for the Indian Army’s indigenous tank fleet.
What Is a SAMHO Missile?
SAMHO (Semi-Active Mission Homing) is an indigenous gun-launched anti-tank guided missile developed by DRDO’s Armament Research and Development Establishment (ARDE) specifically to be fired from the 120 mm rifled main gun of the Arjun MBT.
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It is a part of DRDO’s broader Cannon Launched Missile Development Programme (CLMDP) to deliver precision standoff engagement capabilities directly from tank platforms.
Key Features of SAMHO Missile
- Semi-active laser homing guidance enabling mid-course guidance with assisted laser targeting before lock-on convergence into precision terminal guidance.
- Tandem High Explosive Anti-Tank (HEAT) warhead built to defeat Explosive Reactive Armour (ERA) of modern tanks.
- Effective engagement ranges from 1.5 km up to 5 km, giving Arjun tanks stand-off attack capability beyond traditional direct fire rounds.
Background of SAMHO Missile
The SAMHO development has been a multi-year, iterative process involving rigorous evaluation. Early prototypes were tested in 2020 and 2022, including live-fire exercises from the Arjun’s 120 mm gun at the KK Ranges in Ahmednagar, operated jointly by DRDO and Indian Army units.
These evaluations verified the missile’s ability to transition from ballistic launch to guided flight, hitting targets with precision and telemetry-validated performance.
Additional trials validated the missile’s ability to handle varying combat conditions and ensured stable performance across the intended engagement envelope.
With these verified results, the missile successfully moved into the formal acceptance process culminating in AoN.
Importance of SAMHO Missile Integration with Arjun Tanks
The AoN approval is a decisive policy move that transitions SAMHO from development and trials into mass production and service integration, addressing a decade-old need for next-generation anti-tank firepower on Indian armoured platforms.
The upgrade enhances the lethality, precision, and battlefield flexibility of the Arjun MBT, reinforcing India’s strategic posture along key geographical theatres including the Western borders with Pakistan and the Northern borders adjacent to China.
Enhancing the Arjun MBT’s Combat Role
The Arjun Main Battle Tank is India’s indigenous backbone of mechanised firepower.
Designed around a 120 mm rifled gun, advanced fire-control systems, and modular armour, the tank has undergone continuous upgrades since its induction.
With the SAMHO CLATGM now sanctioned for production, the Arjun tank gains:
- Beyond-Line-of-Sight (BLOS) strike capability against enemy armour.
- Fire-and-forget operation, minimising crew exposure during tactical manoeuvres.
- Improved anti-air and counter-low flying threats performance due to advanced laser guidance.
This situational awareness and extended range transform the Arjun MBT into a formidable multi-role weapon system suited for modern combat environments across open deserts, plains, and mechanised theatres.
Indigenous Defence: A Boost to Atmanirbhar Bharat
The SAMHO system is a flagship example of Atmanirbhar Bharat (self-reliant India) in defence technology. Unlike legacy foreign supplied guided munitions, this missile is fully developed domestically by DRDO and allied laboratories, reducing dependency on foreign systems and supply chains.
The production of SAMHO rounds within India will also bolster local defence manufacturing, create skilled jobs, and allow technological spin-offs for future weapon systems such as the Zorawar light tank project and potentially T-90 Bhishma MBTs with modification in the future.
Production and Induction of SAMHO Missile
The AoN marks the transition to large-scale production, with expected procurement contracts and supply chain mobilisation to support serial manufacturing. Integration into active units of the Indian Army’s Armoured Corps will follow with subsequent user trials, doctrinal updates, and training protocols for crews operating SAMHO-equipped Arjun tanks.
Together with other indigenous advancements such as future combat vehicles and upgraded fire-control technologies, SAMHO is a key piece in reinventing India’s armoured warfare posture for the coming decades.
