Hyderabad: India successfully carried out a test of its third-generation Man Portable Anti-Tank Guided Missile (MPATGM) on Sunday, featuring fire-and-forget and top-attack capabilities. The missile struck a moving target at the KK Ranges in Ahilya Nagar, Maharashtra, the Defence Research & Development Laboratory (DRDL) of DRDO confirmed.
The MPATGM has been fully designed in India and incorporates key homegrown technologies, including an Imaging Infrared homing seeker, electric control actuation, fire control and sighting systems, tandem warhead, and propulsion module. Several DRDO laboratories contributed to the development effort – Research Centre Imarat in Hyderabad, Terminal Ballistics Research Laboratory in Chandigarh, High Energy Materials Research Laboratory in Pune, and Instruments Research & Development Establishment in Dehradun, according to an official statement.
The trial used a thermal target system designed by the Defence Laboratory, Jodhpur, to mimic an armoured vehicle. The missile’s seeker supports both day and night engagements, while its warhead has been developed to counter modern battle tanks. Bharat Dynamics Limited and Bharat Electronics Limited are supporting the programme as development-cum-production partners. The weapon can be launched from a tripod or from a vehicle-mounted platform.
In a post on X, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh applauded DRDO and industry partners for the milestone, calling it a significant step towards strengthening self-reliance in defence manufacturing.
DRDO Chairman and Secretary, Department of Defence R&D, Dr Samir V Kamat, also congratulated the team and said the successful mission clears the path for induction of the MPATGM into service with the Indian Army.
