MPATGM

Last updated
Man portable anti-tank guided missile
MPATGM launched in final deliverable configuration.jpg
MPATGM tested on 11 January 2022
Type Anti-tank guided missile
Place of origin India
Production history
Designer Defence Research and Development Organisation
VEM Technologies
Designed2015
Manufacturer Bharat Dynamics Limited
Specifications
MassMissile: 14.50 kg (32.0 lb)
CLU: 14.25 kg (31.4 lb) [1]
Length1,300 mm (4 ft 3 in) [1]
Diameter120 mm (4.7 in) [1]
Crew2
Effective firing range200 m (0.20 km) - 4,000 m (4.0 km) [2]
SightsDigital sight with laser designator
Warhead Tandem-charge HEAT
Blast yieldPenetration:
660 mm of RHA + ERA
710 mm of RHA [3]
Engine Dual-thrust rocket with blast tube ejection motor [4]
Propellant Solid fuel
Guidance
system
Imaging infrared homing
Launch
platform
Launch tube, tripod-mount

The MPATGM or man portable anti-tank guided missile, [5] is an Indian third generation fire-and-forget anti-tank guided missile (ATGM) derived from India's Nag ATGM. As of 2022, it is being developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) in partnership with Indian defence contractor VEM Technologies Private Limited. [1] [6] [7]

Contents

Design

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. [7] It is fitted with one high-explosive anti-tank (HEAT) shaped charge warhead. [6] 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. [1] [8] 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. [1] Minimum range is 200 to 300 m; maximum range is 4 km. [9]

The MPATGM is equipped with an advanced imaging infrared homing (IIR) sensor and integrated avionics. [10] The missile has top attack ability. [11] It reportedly shares many similarities with ATGMs such as America's FGM-148 Javelin [12] and Israel's Spike. [13]

Development

DRDO started work on a man-portable version of the Nag missile in 2015. [14] 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. [15]

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. [12] However, India reauthorized the deal in January 2018 during a visit of Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu to India. [16] This deal was cancelled again in June 2019 after DRDO promised to deliver the MPATGM by 2021. [17] However, the Indian Army bought a limited number of Spike (ATGM) to cater for their immediate needs until the MPATGM is ready for induction. [13] MPATGM user trials were planned to be complete by 2020 but postponed due COVID-19 pandemic. [18] On induction, the MPATGM will replace second generation MILAN and 9M113 Konkurs ATGMs with the infantry, parachute, and special forces.

Indian defense startup company Tonbo Imaging with Bharat Dynamics is developing a light weight imaging infrared seeker without cryogenic compressor for MPATGM that uses real-time computing and artificial intelligence based image processing to help the missile orient itself toward the most vulnerable part of a target tank. [19]

Production facility

The MPATGM will be manufactured by Bharat Dynamics Limited at a facility located in Bhanoor, Telangana. This facility was inaugurated on 29 September 2018. [6] [20]

Testing

MPATGM hitting a target during test

See also

Related development
Missiles of comparable role and configuration

Related Research Articles

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References

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  3. ↑ Kumar, Arun (Col. Retd.). "Development of Anti-Tank Guided Missile". Q Tech Synergy. Defence ProAc Biz News. Retrieved 22 July 2021.
  4. ↑ "Man-Portable Anti Tank Guided Missile". Ministry of Defence, Government of India. Defence Research & Development Organisation. 9 May 2019. Retrieved 23 July 2021.
  5. 1 2 "Second Flight Test of MPATGM Successful". Press Information Bureau, Government of India. 16 September 2018. Retrieved 2019-08-15.
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  8. ↑ "The Indian DRDO Has A Top Attack Missile In The Works". 21st Century Asian Arms Race. 2019-09-12. Retrieved 2020-02-16.
  9. 1 2 Shukla, Ajai (12 January 2022). "DRDO test-fires indigenous anti-tank missile". Business Standard. Retrieved 12 January 2022.
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  11. 1 2 Gady, Franz-Stefan (16 September 2018). "India's DRDO Test Fires Indigenous Man Portable Anti-Tank Guided Missile". The Diplomat. Retrieved 2019-07-08.
  12. 1 2 "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.
  13. 1 2 Pandit, Rajat (4 October 2019). "Army inducts Israeli 'tank killers' till DRDO develops indigenous ones". The Times of India . Retrieved 4 October 2019.
  14. ↑ Udoshi, Partha Shukla & Rahul (2022-01-13). "India tests manportable anti-tank guided missile". www.janes.com. Retrieved 2023-02-08.
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  20. ↑ PTI (1 October 2018). "Production facility for man-portable anti-tank missiles opened". The Economic Times. Retrieved 2019-08-15.
  21. ↑ "Twin Success for Man Portable Anti Tank Guided Missile". Press Information Bureau, Government of India. 14 March 2019. Retrieved 2019-08-15.
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