Man Portable Anti-tank Guided Missile Weapon System

Why in News ?

Recently, the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), in collaboration with the Indian Army, conducted successful trials of the indigenously developed Man Portable Anti-tank Guided Missile Weapon System (MPATGM), marking a major step forward in India’s anti-tank warfare capability.

What is the Man Portable Anti-tank Guided Missile Weapon System ?

The Man Portable Anti-tank Guided Missile (MPATGM) Weapon System is an indigenously designed and developed third-generation anti-tank missile system.

• Developed by DRDO, it is intended to meet the Indian Army’s requirement for a modern, lightweight, and highly accurate anti-armour weapon.
• As a third-generation “fire and forget” missile, it enables operators to disengage immediately after launch, reducing exposure to enemy fire.

Components of the MPATGM System

The complete MPATGM weapon system consists of:

• MPATGM missile
• Launcher system
• Target Acquisition System (TAS)
• Fire Control Unit (FCU)

These integrated components ensure rapid target detection, locking, launch, and engagement in diverse battlefield conditions.

Key Features and Indigenous Technologies

The MPATGM incorporates several cutting-edge indigenous technologies:

• Imaging Infrared (IIR) Homing Seeker:  Enables high precision targeting with robust day-and-night and all-weather capability.
• Fire-and-Forget Capability: Once launched, the missile autonomously tracks and destroys the target without further operator guidance.
• Tandem Warhead: Designed to defeat modern main battle tanks equipped with explosive reactive armour and advanced composite protection.
• All-Electric Control Actuation System: Enhances reliability, response time, and maintainability.
• Advanced Fire Control and Sighting System: Provides high accuracy and situational awareness to the operator.
• Flexible Launch Options: Can be launched from a tripod-mounted system as well as vehicle-based launchers, enhancing tactical versatility.

Operational Significance for the Indian Army

• Enhances infantry anti-tank firepower, particularly in high-threat armoured warfare scenarios.
• Improves survivability of soldiers by reducing exposure time during engagements.
• Strengthens India’s preparedness along diverse terrains, including plains, deserts, and mountainous regions.
• Reduces dependence on imported anti-tank guided missile systems, supporting defence self-reliance.

Role of Indian Defence Industry

• Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL) and Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) are the Development-cum-Production Partners (DcPP) for the MPATGM.
• Their involvement ensures indigenous production, lifecycle support, and future upgrades, aligning with the Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative in defence manufacturing.