POKHRAN (RAJASTHAN), October 3 — The Indian Army, in coordination with the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), on Saturday successfully concluded comprehensive user field validation trials of the indigenously developed Man-Portable Anti-Tank Guided Missile (MPATGM) weapon system at the Pokhran Field Firing Range in Rajasthan.
According to technical parameters confirmed by the Ministry of Defence, the third-generation anti-tank system was launched from a man-portable tripod mount against static and moving simulated main battle tank hulls fitted with Explosive Reactive Armour (ERA) bricks. Incorporating a state-of-the-art Imaging Infrared (IIR) seeker and onboard digital guidance computers, the missile demonstrated dual-mode engagement capability: executing both high-angle top-attack dives onto vulnerable turret crowns and direct-strike profiles across its 2.5-kilometre operational envelope.
The complete system—comprising the canisterised missile, launch unit, and target acquisition thermal sight—weighs under 15 kilograms, enabling rapid two-man infantry dismounted patrol mobility across high-altitude Himalayan sectors and desert combat theaters. Defense officials confirmed the weapon system is now cleared for commercial series production to phase out imported legacy Milan-2T anti-tank systems.
The doctrinal role of third-generation Fire-and-Forget Anti-Tank Guided Missiles (the Nag family, Helina/Dhruvastra airborne variants, and dismounted MPATGM systems), tandem shaped-charge HEAT warhead physics overcoming modern composite armor, and Make-in-India defense indigenization priorities are prominent topics across UPSC Civil Services (GS-III: Defence Technology & Security) and CDS recruitment examinations.