India’s Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) recently conducted the test-firings of a new locally developed, low-weight man portable anti-tank missile system.

According to the statement, announced 16 September by the Press Information Bureau Government of India, the new indigenously developed Man Portable Anti-Tank Guided Missile (MPATGM), was successfully flight tested for the second time from the Ahmednagar test range.

Also noted that the two missions on 15 and 16 September 2018 have been successfully flight tested for different ranges including the maximum range capability.

Indian Defense Minister Nirmala Sitharamancongratulated the team DRDO, Indian Army and associated Industries for the twin success of MPATGM weapon system.

The MPATGM is a third-generation (fire and forget) anti-tank guided missile (ATGM), which has been under development by DRDO in partnership with Indian defense contractor VEM Technologies Ltd. since 2015. Fitted with a high-explosive anti-tank (HEAT) warhead, the MPATGM reportedly boasts a top attack capability and has a maximum engagement range of about 2.5 kilometers.

Early, India’s Defense Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, after calling off the planned purchase of Israeli Spike-MR in November last year, had directed the state-owned Defense Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) to deliver countrymade man-portable fire and forget guided missile.

Nevertheless, the Indian army is still pushing to acquire at least 2,500 Spike-MRs as a stopgap measure to quickly address the capability gap. The Indian army says it requires at least 40,000 anti-tank guided missiles in the next 20 years.

The DRDO now has the arduous task of developing a Man-Portable Anti-Tank Guided Missile (MPATGM) for the army as soon as possible to make up for the cancelled project.