THEBUSINESSBYTES
BUREAU
NEW
DELHI, JANUARY 12, 2026
India’s
defence research capabilities received a major boost as the Defence Research
and Development Organisation (DRDO) successfully flight-tested the Third
Generation Fire & Forget Man Portable Anti-Tank Guided Missile (MPATGM)
with top attack capability against a moving target. The test was conducted at
the KK Ranges in Ahilya Nagar, Maharashtra, marking a significant milestone in
the country’s pursuit of advanced indigenous weapon systems.
Developed by
DRDO’s Defence Research & Development Laboratory, Hyderabad, the MPATGM
demonstrated precision strike capability by accurately engaging a simulated
tank target. The missile is equipped with cutting-edge indigenous technologies,
including an Imaging Infrared (IIR) homing seeker, an all-electric control
actuation system, a modern fire control system, a tandem warhead, an advanced propulsion
system and a high-performance sighting system. These critical subsystems have
been developed in collaboration with DRDO’s sister laboratories across
Hyderabad, Chandigarh, Pune and Dehradun, showcasing a strong ecosystem of
domestic defence innovation.
The Thermal
Target System used to simulate the enemy tank was developed by Defence
Laboratory, Jodhpur, while the IIR seeker proved its robustness with full
day-and-night operational capability. Designed to defeat modern main battle
tanks, the MPATGM can be launched from both tripod-based systems and military
vehicle launchers, offering flexibility on the battlefield. Bharat Dynamics
Limited and Bharat Electronics Limited are the Development-cum-Production
Partners for the weapon system, reinforcing the role of Indian industry in
strategic defence programmes.
Defence
Minister Rajnath Singh congratulated DRDO, its industry partners and the
development teams for the successful test, describing it as an important step
towards achieving the vision of Aatmanirbhar Bharat in defence manufacturing.
Secretary,
Department of Defence R&D and Chairman DRDO, Dr Samir V Kamat, also lauded
the achievement, stating that the successful trial paves the way for the
induction of the MPATGM into the Indian Army, significantly enhancing its
anti-armour capabilities.
