NEW DELHI – India’s Defense Research and Development Organization (DRDO) has conducted the first successful test firing of a new indigenously designed and developed man portable anti-tank guided missile (MPATGM) in western state of Maharashtra.
The missile test was carried out on Sunday at the Ahmednagar test range.
“Indigenously developed MPATGM was successfully flight tested for the second time from the Ahmednagar range today. All the mission objectives have been met,” a statement issued by the Defense Ministry said.
The indigenously developed Man Portable Anti-Tank Guided Missile (MPATGM) was successfully tested for a second time at Ahmednagar range in Maharashtra todat
Smt @nsitharaman congratulates @DRDO_India , India Army @adgpi & the industry for this achievement.#MakeInIndia4Defence pic.twitter.com/Ek5Ka7gvFm
— Raksha Mantri (@DefenceMinIndia) September 16, 2018
“The two missions on 15 and 16 September 2018 have been successfully flight tested for different ranges including the maximum range capability.”
The MPATGM is a third-generation anti-tank guided missile (ATGM), which has been under development by DRDO in partnership with Indian defense contractor VEM Technologies Ltd. since 2015. Fitted with a high-explosive anti-tank (HEAT) warhead, the MPATGM reportedly boasts a top attack capability and has a maximum engagement range of about 2.5 kilometers.
DRDO has promised the Indian Army to hand over the first MPATGM prototype by the end of 2018 for user trials. Mass production of the missile is expected to begin in 2021. The Indian government scrapped a $500 million deal with Rafael for 321 Spike ATGM systems and 8,356 missiles in favor of the MPATGM system in December 2017. (The Indian MoD selected the Spike ATGM over the US-made FGM-148 Javelin ATGM system in October 2014.)
https://en.dailypakistan.com.pk/world/rafale-fighter-jets-deal-biggest-scam-in-the-history-of-india/
Nonetheless, the Indian Army remains deeply skeptical of the indigenous MPATGM and does not believe that it will be meet its operational requirements. The service is also concerned about delays in the induction of the new weapon system.
Consequently, the Indian Army has been pushing for the acquisition of man portable ATGMs from abroad, despite heavy opposition from the DRDO
