New Delhi: In a major boost to India’s indigenous defence capabilities, the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has successfully conducted the flight test of the third-generation Man Portable Anti-Tank Guided Missile (MPATGM) with top-attack capability against a moving target. The successful trial marks a crucial step toward the induction of the advanced missile system into the Indian Army.
Successful Trial at Maharashtra Test Range
The flight test was conducted on January 11 at the KK Ranges in Ahilya Nagar, Maharashtra, by DRDO’s Defence Research & Development Laboratory (DRDL), Hyderabad. According to DRDO, the missile accurately engaged and destroyed a simulated enemy tank, validating its performance in real battlefield-like conditions.
The test demonstrated the missile’s ability to strike moving targets using a top-attack mode, which is designed to hit the weakest part of armoured vehicles, significantly enhancing its lethality against modern main battle tanks.
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Advanced Indigenous Technologies
The MPATGM is an indigenously developed “fire-and-forget” missile system equipped with state-of-the-art technologies. Key features include an Imaging Infrared (IIR) homing seeker, an all-electric control actuation system, a fire control system, tandem warhead, advanced propulsion system, and a high-performance sighting system.
Several DRDO laboratories contributed to the development of critical subsystems, including Research Centre Imarat (Hyderabad), Terminal Ballistics Research Laboratory (Chandigarh), High Energy Materials Research Laboratory (Pune), and Instruments Research & Development Establishment (Dehradun).
The Thermal Target System, used during the trial to simulate an enemy tank, was developed by Defence Laboratory, Jodhpur.
Operational Flexibility and Industry Participation
DRDO stated that the IIR seeker enables effective day-and-night combat operations, while the tandem warhead is capable of defeating advanced armour protection systems. The missile can be launched from tripod-based launchers as well as vehicle-mounted platforms, offering operational flexibility to ground forces.
State-owned defence public sector undertakings Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL) and Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) are the Development-Cum-Production Partners (DcPP) for the MPATGM system, highlighting the growing role of Indian industry in defence manufacturing.
Leadership Congratulates DRDO Team
Raksha Mantri Rajnath Singh congratulated DRDO, its industry partners, and all stakeholders involved in the successful test. He described the achievement as a significant step toward realizing the vision of Aatmanirbhar Bharat in the defence sector.
Secretary, Department of Defence R&D and Chairman DRDO, Dr Samir V. Kamat, also lauded the team, stating that the successful trial against a moving target has paved the way for the missile’s induction into the Indian Army.
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