DRDO successfully flight-tests Man Portable Anti-Tank Guided Missile with top attack capability against a moving target
DRDO has achieved a major milestone with the successful flight test of a third-generation Man Portable Anti-Tank Guided Missile (MPATGM) featuring top-attack capability, carried out against a moving target at the KK Ranges, Ahilya Nagar, Maharashtra, on 11 January 2026.
The Fire-and-Forget MPATGM, developed indigenously by DRDO’s Defence Research & Development Laboratory (DRDL), Hyderabad, integrates advanced homegrown technologies. These include an Imaging Infrared (IIR) homing seeker, an all-electric control actuation system, a sophisticated fire control system, a tandem warhead, an efficient propulsion unit, and a high-performance sighting system. These critical subsystems have been developed in collaboration with DRDO laboratories such as RCI Hyderabad, TBRL Chandigarh, HEMRL Pune, and IRDE Dehradun.
To realistically simulate battlefield conditions, the Thermal Target System, developed by Defence Laboratory, Jodhpur, was used to represent an enemy tank. The missile’s IIR seeker demonstrated reliable day and night operational capability, while the tandem warhead proved its effectiveness against modern main battle tanks. The MPATGM can be deployed from both tripod-mounted launchers and military vehicle-based platforms, enhancing its operational flexibility.
Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL) and Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) are serving as the Development-cum-Production Partners, supporting the system’s transition from development to induction.
Commending the achievement, Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh praised DRDO, its industry partners, and the production agencies, describing the successful trial as a significant step forward in strengthening Aatmanirbhar Bharat in defence manufacturing.
DRDO Chairman and Secretary, Department of Defence R&D, Dr Samir V. Kamat, also congratulated the team, noting that the successful engagement of the trial target clears the path for the missile’s induction into the Indian Army.
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