In a significant boost to India's infantry firepower, the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has successfully conducted a crucial flight test of its indigenously developed Man-Portable Anti-Tank Guided Missile (MPATGM). The test, conducted on January 12, 2026, demonstrated the weapon's advanced top-attack capability against a moving tank target.
A Major Milestone in Indigenous Defence
The test was carried out from a ground-based launcher, showcasing the missile's precision and lethal effectiveness. The primary objective was to validate the sophisticated top-attack mode, a critical feature designed to defeat modern armour. In this mode, the missile flies over its target and detonates downwards, aiming at the typically thinner top armour of a battle tank, ensuring a high probability of a kill.
The successful trial marks a pivotal step towards the induction of this advanced system into the Indian Army's arsenal. The MPATGM system is designed to be lightweight and man-portable, allowing infantry units to carry and deploy it swiftly in various terrains, providing them with a potent, shoulder-fired answer to enemy armour threats.
Key Features and Strategic Importance
This latest test focused on engaging a moving target, which is a complex and vital requirement for modern battlefield scenarios. The missile's performance confirmed its guidance system, warhead effectiveness, and overall reliability under realistic conditions. The development of the MPATGM is part of India's broader push under the 'Atmanirbhar Bharat' (Self-Reliant India) initiative to reduce dependency on foreign weapon systems and build a robust domestic defence manufacturing ecosystem.
The system is expected to feature several advanced technologies, including:
- Fire-and-Forget Capability: Allowing the operator to launch and immediately take cover.
- Day and Night Targeting: Equipped with an imaging infrared (IIR) seeker for all-weather operation.
- High Agility: Capable of engaging fast-moving and erratically maneuvering armoured vehicles.
Once inducted, the MPATGM will significantly enhance the close-combat anti-armour capability of infantry and parachute units. It will serve as a force multiplier, especially in defensive positions and in difficult terrain where larger vehicle-mounted systems cannot be easily deployed.
Path Forward for the MPATGM Programme
The January 12 test is part of a series of rigorous trials being conducted to fine-tune the system before user trials by the Indian Army commence. The DRDO, along with its industry partner, is working to ensure the missile meets all the stringent qualitative requirements of the armed forces. The development underscores India's growing prowess in designing and producing cutting-edge tactical missile systems.
This achievement places India among a select group of nations with the technology to produce such advanced, lightweight, and lethal anti-tank guided missiles. The focus will now be on accelerating the production and induction process to equip the frontline soldiers with this indigenous state-of-the-art weapon system at the earliest.
