MPATGM

The MPATGM,[3] or Man Portable Anti-Tank Guided Missile, is an Indian third-generation fire-and-forget anti-tank guided missile derived from Nag ATGM. It is currently under development by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) in partnership with Indian defence contractor VEM Technologies Private Limited.[2][1][4]

Man Portable Anti-Tank Guided Missile
MPATGM tested on 11 September 2019
TypeAnti-tank guided missile
Place of originIndia
Production history
ManufacturerBharat Dynamics Limited
Defence Research and Development Organisation
VEM Technologies Private Limited [1]
Specifications
Mass14.5 kg (32 lb)[2]
Length1,300 mm (4 ft 3 in)[2]
Diameter120 mm (4.7 in)[2]
WarheadHigh-explosive anti-tank warhead (HEAT)[1]
Operational
range
2.5 km
Guidance
system
Imaging infra-red

Design

The MPATGM is a low weight, long cylindrical missile with a group of four fins around its mid-section.[4] It is fitted with high-explosive anti-tank (HEAT) warhead.[1] The missile has a length of about 1,300 mm and a diameter of about 120 mm with aluminum and carbon fiber launch tube and collapsible tripod to save on weight.[2][5] It has a weight of 14.5 kg, with its command launch unit (CLU) weighing 14.25 kg which combines a laser designator with digital all-weather sight.[2] It has a range of about 2.5 km.[6]

The MPATGM is equipped with an advanced imaging infrared (IIR) sensor and integrated avionics.[7] The missile has top attack capability.[6] It reportedly share many similarities with systems such as FGM-148 Javelin,[8] and Spike (ATGM).[9]

Development

DRDO started work on a man-portable version of the Nag missile in 2005.[10] On 20 December 2017, India cancelled a major deal for acquiring the Israeli Spike (ATGM) in favour of the DRDO MPATGM, after deciding that no transfer of technology was needed for the development of MPATGM.[8] However, India reauthorized the deal in January 2018 during a visit of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to India.[11] This deal was cancelled again in June 2019 after DRDO promised to deliver the MPATGM by 2021.[12] However, the Indian Army bought a limited number of Spike (ATGM) to cater for their immediate requirement until the MPATGM is ready for induction.[9] MPATGM user trials will be completed by 2020.[13]

Production facility

The MPATGM will be manufactured by Bharat Dynamics Limited at a facility located in Bhanoor, Telangana. This facility was inaugurated on September 29, 2018.[1][14]

Testing
MPATGM tested on September 16, 2018

On September 15, 2018, DRDO carried out the first trial of the MPATGM successfully. This trial was followed by another successful trial of the MPATGM on September 16, 2018.[3][6]

On March 13, 2019 DRDO successfully tested the MPATGM in the Rajasthan desert. This was followed by another successful test next day on March 14, 2019.[15][16]

The missile was tested again on 11 September 2019. A man portable tripod launcher was used in the test. The target of the test was a dummy tank, which was hit in top attack mode.[17]

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See also

Related development

Missiles of comparable role and configuration

References
  1. "MPATGM: Man Portable Anti-Tank Guided Missile production facility opened at Bharat Dynamics Ltd". The Financial Express. 1 October 2018. Retrieved 15 August 2019.
  2. Dhingra, Jayesh (22 February 2019). "Aero India 2019: DRDO details short-range MPATGM". Jane's Missiles & Rockets. Bangalore: IHS Jane's 360. Retrieved 2019-07-08.
  3. "Second Flight Test of MPATGM Successful". Press Information Bureau, Government of India. 16 September 2018. Retrieved 2019-08-15.
  4. Geetanath, V. (14 March 2019). "Anti-tank missile developed by DRDO successfully fired". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 2019-08-13.
  5. "The Indian DRDO Has A Top Attack Missile In The Works". 21st Century Asian Arms Race. 2019-09-12. Retrieved 2020-02-16.
  6. Gady, Franz-Stefan (September 16, 2018). "India's DRDO Test Fires Indigenous Man Portable Anti-Tank Guided Missile". The Diplomat. Retrieved 2019-07-08.
  7. M, Somasekar. "DRDO test fires successfully Man Portable Anti-tank Guided Missile". Business Line. Retrieved 2019-07-08.
  8. "India scraps mega Israeli deal for anti-tank missiles in favor of DRDO product" (PDF). Defence Research and Development Organisation. 6 March 2018. Retrieved 14 August 2019.
  9. "Army inducts Israeli 'tank killers' till DRDO develops indigenous ones". The Times of India. October 4, 2019. Retrieved 4 October 2019.
  10. M. Somasekhar (24 March 2005). "Helicopter version of Nag under way". The Hindu Business Line. Hyderabad. Retrieved 6 February 2015.
  11. Gady, Franz-Stefan. "Report: India Scraps Israel Anti-Tank Guided Missiles Deal (Again)". The Diplomat. Retrieved 2019-08-14.
  12. Ranjan, Amitav (2019-06-24). "India scraps Israel anti-tank missile deal after DRDO says it will deliver". The Indian Express. New Delhi. Retrieved 2019-08-14.
  13. "INTERVIEW | Youngsters can power India into a defence technology leader: Dr Satheesh Reddy". OnManorama. Retrieved 2020-02-17.
  14. "Production facility for man-portable anti-tank missiles opened". The Economic Times. 1 October 2018. Retrieved 2019-08-15.
  15. "Twin Success for Man Portable Anti Tank Guided Missile". Press Information Bureau, Government of India. 14 March 2019. Retrieved 2019-08-15.
  16. "Anti-tank guided missile test-fired successfully". The Economic Times. 14 March 2019. Retrieved 2019-07-08.
  17. Reporter, Staff (2019-09-11). "DRDO successfully tests indigenous anti-tank missile". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 2019-09-12.
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