India’s MPATGM: Enhancing Infantry Lethality and Defence Self-Reliance

Context:

The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has achieved a successful flight test of the indigenously developed third-generation Man Portable Anti-Tank Guided Missile (MPATGM), demonstrating its top-attack strike capability against a moving armoured target.

Man Portable Anti-Tank Guided Missile (MPATGM): Overview

Nature of System: A next-generation, shoulder-fired, fire-and-forget anti-armour missile designed to counter modern battle tanks and protected fighting vehicles.

Design & Development: Conceived and developed by DRDO, with Defence Research & Development Laboratory (DRDL), Hyderabad, as the nodal agency.

Operational Objective: To provide frontline infantry units with a compact, highly accurate and combat-effective weapon system capable of round-the-clock and all-weather operations.

Salient Capabilities:

Autonomous Target Engagement: Once fired, the missile independently homes onto the target, freeing the operator from guidance control.
Imaging Infrared Seeker: Advanced thermal seeker ensures precise target acquisition in darkness, fog and adverse visibility.
Overhead Strike Profile: Engages targets from the top, exploiting the most vulnerable section of tank armour.
Dual-Charge Penetration: Tandem high-explosive anti-tank warhead neutralises reactive armour before breaching core protection.
Engagement Envelope: Effective firing range between 200 metres and 4 kilometres.
Flexible Deployment: Lightweight, infantry-portable system adaptable for tripod or vehicle-based launch.

Strategic Relevance:

Combat Readiness: Strengthens infantry lethality against armoured threats in conventional and hybrid warfare.
Self-Reliance Push: Curtails dependence on imported anti-tank missile systems.
Defence Indigenisation: Reinforces India’s Aatmanirbhar Bharat goals in advanced weapons development.

Source : PIB