MPATGM

The MPATGM is a low weight, long cylindrical missile with two groups of four radial fins, larger ones at the middle, and smaller ones at the tail.{{Cite news |last=Geetanath |first=V. |date=14 March 2019 |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/anti-tank-missile-developed-by-drdo-successfully-fired/article26533308.ece |title=Anti-tank missile developed by DRDO successfully fired |work=The Hindu |access-date=2019-08-13 |language=en-IN |issn=0971-751X}} It is fitted with one high-explosive anti-tank (HEAT) shaped charge warhead. The missile has a length of about 130 cm and a diameter of about 12 cm with a collapsible tripod, and launch tube of aluminum and carbon fiber to reduce weight.{{Cite web |url=https://21stcenturyasianarmsrace.com/2019/09/13/the-indian-drdo-has-a-top-attack-missile-in-the-works/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200216113629/https://21stcenturyasianarmsrace.com/2019/09/13/the-indian-drdo-has-a-top-attack-missile-in-the-works/ |url-status=usurped |archive-date=February 16, 2020 |title=The Indian DRDO Has A Top Attack Missile In The Works |date=2019-09-12 |website=21st Century Asian Arms Race |language=en |access-date=2020-02-16}} 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.{{Cite journal |last=Dhingra |first=Jayesh |date=22 February 2019 |url=https://www.janes.com/article/86778/aero-india-2019-drdo-details-short-range-mpatgm |title=Aero India 2019: DRDO details short-range MPATGM |journal=Jane's Missiles & Rockets |access-date=2019-07-08 |location=Bangalore |publisher=IHS Jane's 360}} Minimum range is 200 to 300 m; maximum range is 4 km.

The MPATGM is equipped with an advanced dual-mode imaging infrared homing (IIR) sensor with integrated avionics for day and night operations.{{Cite news |last=Somasekar |first=M. |url=https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/news/drdo-test-fires-successfully-man-portable-anti-tank-guided-missile/article26532753.ece |title=DRDO test fires successfully Man Portable Anti-tank Guided Missile |website=Business Line |date=14 March 2019 |language=en |access-date=2019-07-08}}{{Cite web |last=Kumar |first=Abhijeet |date=13 August 2024 |title=Watch: Indigenous portable anti-tank missile successfully tested by DRDO |url=https://www.business-standard.com/external-affairs-defence-security/news/watch-indigenous-portable-anti-tank-missile-successfully-tested-by-drdo-124081300840_1.html |access-date=13 August 2024 |website=Business Standard}} With both direct and top attack capabilities, the missile fires in lock-on before launch mode.{{cite news |last1=Kajal |first1=Kapil |title=Aero India 2023: DRDO plans lightweight MPATGM |url=https://www.janes.com/defence-news/news-detail/aero-india-2023-drdo-plans-lightweight-mpatgm |access-date=29 February 2024 |publisher=Janes |date=13 February 2023}} It reportedly shares many similarities with ATGMs such as America's FGM-148 Javelin and Israel's Spike.{{Cite news |last=Pandit |first=Rajat |date=4 October 2019 |title=Army inducts Israeli 'tank killers' till DRDO develops indigenous ones |work=The Times of India |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/army-inducts-israeli-tank-killers-till-drdo-develops-indigenous-ones/articleshow/71432164.cms |access-date=4 October 2019}}

DRDO started work on a man-portable version of the Nag missile in 2015.{{Cite web |last=Udoshi |first=Partha Shukla & Rahul |date=2022-01-13 |title=India tests manportable anti-tank guided missile |url=https://www.janes.com/defence-news/news-detail/india-tests-manportable-anti-tank-guided-missile |access-date=2023-02-08 |website=www.janes.com |language=en}} The Ministry of Defence (MoD) sanctioned the official development of the MPATGM on 27 January 2015 with probable completion date around 26 July 2018 at a cost of ₹73.46 crore.{{Cite news |last=Shukla |first=Ajai |date=2021-07-22 |title=DRDO successfully test-flies indigenously developed 'man-portable ATGM' |work=Business Standard India |url=https://www.business-standard.com/article/current-affairs/drdo-successfully-test-flies-indigenously-developed-man-portable-atgm-121072201571_1.html |access-date=2021-07-25}}

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 technology transfer was needed to develop the MPATGM.{{Cite web |url=https://www.drdo.gov.in/drdo/pub/npc/2018/march/din-06march2018.pdf |title=India scraps mega Israeli deal for anti-tank missiles in favor of DRDO product |date=6 March 2018 |website=Defence Research and Development Organisation |access-date=14 August 2019}} However, India reauthorized the deal in January 2018 during a visit of Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu to India.{{Cite web |last=Gady |first=Franz-Stefan |date=June 2019 |url=https://thediplomat.com/2019/06/report-india-scraps-israel-anti-tank-guided-missiles-deal-again/ |title=Report: India Scraps Israel Anti-Tank Guided Missiles Deal (Again) |website=The Diplomat|language=en-US |access-date=2019-08-14}} This deal was cancelled again in June 2019 after DRDO promised to deliver the MPATGM by 2021.{{Cite web |first=Amitav |last=Ranjan |date=2019-06-24 |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-israel-spike-anti-tank-missiles-drdo-5796306/ |title=India scraps Israel anti-tank missile deal after DRDO says it will deliver |website=The Indian Express |language=en-IN |access-date=2019-08-14 |location=New Delhi}} However, the Indian Army bought a limited number of Spike (ATGM) to cater for their immediate needs until the MPATGM is ready for induction. MPATGM user trials were planned to be complete by 2020 but were postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.{{Cite web |last=Krishnan M. |first=Anantha |date=14 February 2020 |title=Interview: Youngsters can power India into a defence technology leader: Dr Satheesh Reddy |url=https://www.onmanorama.com/news/india/2020/02/14/youngsters-india-defence-technology-satheessh-reddy.html |access-date=2021-07-24 |website=OnManorama}} On induction, the MPATGM will replace second generation MILAN and 9M113 Konkurs ATGMs with the infantry, parachute, and special forces.

In collaboration with Bharat Dynamics, defense startup Tonbo Imaging is developing an uncooled lightweight infrared seeker that does not require a cryogenic compressor. The seeker has integrated real-time target identification and edge AI image processing to assist the missile in orienting itself toward the most vulnerable area of a target.{{Cite web |last=Velayanikal |first=Malavika |date=2021-02-15 |title=Guided missiles homing in with Indian deep tech |url=https://www.livemint.com/news/business-of-life/guided-missiles-homing-in-with-indian-deep-tech-11613314273154.html |access-date=2021-02-19 |website=Mint |language=en}}

The MPATGM will be manufactured by Bharat Dynamics at a facility located in Bhanoor, Telangana. This facility was inaugurated on 29 September 2018.{{Cite web |last=Siddiqui |first=Huma |date=1 October 2018 |title=MPATGM: Man Portable Anti-Tank Guided Missile production facility opened at Bharat Dynamics Ltd |url=https://www.financialexpress.com/defence/mpatgm-man-portable-anti-tank-guided-missile-production-facility-opened-at-bharat-dynamics-ltd/1333247/ |website=The Financial Express |language=en-US |access-date=15 August 2019}}{{Cite news |author=PTI |date=1 October 2018 |url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/defence/production-facility-for-man-portable-anti-tank-missiles-opened/articleshow/66028928.cms |title=Production facility for man-portable anti-tank missiles opened |work=The Economic Times |access-date=2019-08-15}}

• Test 1 – On 15 September 2018, DRDO conducted the first trial of the MPATGM; it was successful. On 16 September 2018, this was followed by another successful trial.{{Cite web |url=http://pib.gov.in/newsite/PrintRelease.aspx?relid=183492 |title=Second Flight Test of MPATGM Successful|date=16 September 2018 |website=Press Information Bureau, Government of India |access-date=2019-08-15}}{{Cite web |last=Gady |first=Franz-Stefan |date=16 September 2018 |url=https://thediplomat.com/2018/09/indias-drdo-test-fires-indigenous-man-portable-anti-tank-guided-missile/ |title=India's DRDO Test Fires Indigenous Man Portable Anti-Tank Guided Missile |website=The Diplomat |language=en-US |access-date=2019-07-08}}

• Test 2 – On 13 March 2019, DRDO successfully completed guided flight trials (GFTs) of the MPATGM at Rajasthan desert. It proved the top attack mode, at a range of 2,500 m. On 14 March 2019, another successful test occurred.{{Cite news |url=http://pib.gov.in/newsite/PrintRelease.aspx?relid=18941613 |title=Twin Success for Man Portable Anti Tank Guided Missile |date=14 March 2019 |website=Press Information Bureau, Government of India |access-date=2019-08-15}}{{Cite news |url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/defence/india-successfully-carries-out-trial-for-mp-atgm/articleshow/68411020.cms |title=Anti-tank guided missile test-fired successfully |date=14 March 2019 |work=The Economic Times |access-date=2019-07-08}}

• Test 3 – On 11 September 2019, the missile was tested again. A man portable tripod launcher was used in the test. The target of the test was a dummy tank, which was hit via top-attack.{{Cite news |author= |date=2019-09-11 |title=DRDO successfully tests indigenous anti-tank missile |language=en-IN |work=The Hindu |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/drdo-successfully-tests-indigenous-anti-tank-missile/article29394941.ece |access-date=2019-09-12 |issn=0971-751X}}
• Test 4 – After a gap of one year due to COVID-19 lockdown in India, on 21 July 2021, DRDO successfully flight tested the MPATGM on a target mimicking a tank, using a thermal sight to prove the minimum range using direct attack at 200–300 meters. The test was to validate missile in-flight stability and deployment of guidance mechanism within short distance. With this test, the MPATGM development project is now nearer completion. During this test, the missile used a newly developed light-weight state of the art miniaturized version of the IIR seeker.{{Cite news |last=Banerjea |first=Aparna |date=21 July 2021 |title=DRDO successfully flight tests home-grown man-portable anti-tank guided missile |website=Mint |url=https://www.livemint.com/news/india/drdo-successfully-flight-tests-home-grown-man-portable-anti-tank-guided-missile-11626864322755.html |access-date=21 July 2021}}

• Test 5 – On 11 January 2022, DRDO successfully flight tested MPATGM in final deliverable configuration. The test was to prove consistent performance at minimum range. It already completed a similar successful test for maximum range. The missile used a miniaturized IIR seeker with advanced avionics for on-board control and guidance. The system is now ready to enter serial production.{{cite news |last=Sharma |first=Ravi |date=11 January 2022 |title=DRDO successfully flight tests final deliverable configuration of man portable anti-tank guided missile |url=https://frontline.thehindu.com/dispatches/drdo-successfully-flight-tests-final-deliverable-configuration-of-man-portable-anti-tank-guided-missile/article38240245.ece |agency=The Publishing |publisher=Frontline |access-date=11 January 2022}} In this test, the Indian Army's demand that the missile be effective and accurate at 200–300 m, was demonstrated for the second time.{{cite news |last=Shukla |first=Ajai |date=12 January 2022 |title=DRDO test-fires indigenous anti-tank missile |url=https://www.business-standard.com/article/current-affairs/drdo-test-fires-indigenous-anti-tank-missile-122011200053_1.html |access-date=12 January 2022 |work=Business Standard}}{{Cite web |last=Standard |first=Business |title=Watch: Indigenous portable anti-tank missile successfully tested by DRDO |url=https://www.business-standard.com/external-affairs-defence-security/news/watch-indigenous-portable-anti-tank-missile-successfully-tested-by-drdo-124081300840_1.html |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20240927223509/https://www.business-standard.com/external-affairs-defence-security/news/watch-indigenous-portable-anti-tank-missile-successfully-tested-by-drdo-124081300840_1.html |archive-date=2024-09-27 |access-date=2025-01-14 |website=www.business-standard.com |language=en-US}} This matched the minimum range performance of ATGMs such as Spike-LR with effective minimum range of 200 m.{{Cite web |title=Spike-LR multi-purpose missile system |url=https://en.missilery.info/missile/spike-lr |access-date=2022-10-12 |website=Missilery.info}}{{Cite web |last=Broadsword |title=DRDO successfully test-fires man-portable, Gen-3, anti-tank missile |url=https://www.ajaishukla.com/2022/01/drdo-successfully-test-fires-man.html |access-date=2025-01-14 |website=Broadsword by Ajai Shukla - Strategy. Economics. Defence.}}
• Test 6 – In 2023, flights trials of MPATGM were conducted for a range of 2.5 km at National Open Air Range (NOAR), Kurnool.{{Cite news |date=22 December 2023 |title=MINISTRY OF DEFENCE – YEAR END REVIEW 2023 |work=Press Information Bureau |url=https://pib.gov.in/PressReleaseIframePage.aspx?PRID=1989502 |access-date=24 December 2023}}
• Test 7 – At the Pokhran Test Range, DRDO successfully completed a number of field evaluation tests on 13 April 2024. The MPATGM missile, the launcher unit, the target acquisition system, and the fire control unit were all part of the test system. Trials for both tandem warhead penetration and warhead flight were conducted in the presence of a user team. This test will now lead to 'Final User Evaluation Trials' and eventual induction into the Indian Army.{{Cite news |date=2024-04-14 |title=DRDO successfully conductd MPATGM weapon system developmental trials at PFFR in Rajasthan |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/drdo-successfully-conductd-mpatgm-weapon-system-developmental-trials-at-pffr-in-rajasthan/articleshow/109282611.cms |access-date=2024-04-14 |work=The Times of India |issn=0971-8257}}{{Cite web |title=DRDO & Indian Army conduct successful trials of indigenous Man Portable Anti-tank Guided Missile Weapon System |url=https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2017876 |access-date=2024-04-14 |website=pib.gov.in}}
• Test 8 – The warhead flight trials have been successfully conducted on 13 August 2024 at Pokhran Field Firing Range. The joint Indian Army-DRDO team assessed the performance using a range of flight configurations and operating factors. The efficiency in defeating contemporary armor-protection has been demonstrated by successful penetration trials of tandem warhead system.{{Cite web |title=Watch: DRDO, Army Successfully Test Portable Anti Tank Missile System |url=https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/watch-drdo-army-successfully-test-portable-anti-tank-missile-system-6327430 |access-date=2024-08-13 |website=NDTV.com}}{{Cite news |date=2024-08-14 |title=DRDO, Army test indigenous anti-tank guided missile in Raj |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/jaipur/drdo-and-army-successfully-test-indigenous-anti-tank-guided-missile-in-raj/articleshow/112508272.cms |access-date=2024-08-14 |work=The Times of India |issn=0971-8257}}

{{Gallery

|width=160 | height=170

|File:Indigenously developed Man Portable Anti-Tank Guided Missile (MPATGM) successfully flight-tested for the second time from the Ahmednagar range, Maharashtra on September 16, 2018.JPG|Maiden test flight.

|File:DRDO successfully test fires indigenously developed MPATGM missile.jpg|Top-attack ability and tripod launcher validation test.

|File:MPATGM launched in final deliverable configuration by DRDO.ogg|Final deliverable configuration test.

|File:DRDO MPATGM.webm|Calibration test for target at minimum range.||Target hit at short distance. Verification of in-flight stability and instant guidance activation.}}

{{Portal|India|Rocketry}}

;Related development

• Nag (missile)

;Missiles of comparable role and configuration

• {{lwc|Spike (missile)#Spike-LR|Spike-LR}}
• {{lwc|FGM-148 Javelin}}
• {{lwc|HJ-12}}
• {{lwc|AT-1K Raybolt}}
• {{lwc|ALAS (missile)|ALAS}}
• Karaok – (Turkey)

{{Reflist}}

{{Commons category|MPATGM}}

• [https://www.mod.gov.in/sites/default/files/MoDAR2018.pdf, Annual Report 2018-19 Ministry of Defence, Government of India]

{{Defence Research and Development Organisation}}

{{Indian missiles}}

Category:Anti-tank guided missiles

Category:Guided missiles of India