The Man-Portable Anti-Tank Guided Missile (MPATGM) is an indigenously developed third-generation, fire-and-forget anti-tank guided missile designed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) for the Indian Armed Forces.
It has been developed to equip Indian infantry with a lightweight, portable and highly accurate weapon system capable of destroying modern main battle tanks (MBTs) and other armoured vehicles. Once inducted, it is expected to gradually replace older anti-tank missile systems such as MILAN and Konkurs, while reducing India’s dependence on imported weapons.
Key facts:
- Developer: DRDO
- Type: Third-generation Anti-Tank Guided Missile (ATGM)
- Guidance: Fire-and-Forget
- Launch platform: Man-portable / tripod-based launcher
- Range: Approximately 200 m to 4 km
Features
MPATGM has been designed for high mobility, accuracy and battlefield effectiveness. Since it is man-portable, it gives infantry units greater flexibility against armoured threats in different terrains.
Major features include:
- Fire-and-Forget Technology: Once launched, the missile automatically tracks and engages the target without further operator intervention.
- Top-Attack Capability: It can attack tanks from above, where armour protection is comparatively weaker.
- Imaging Infrared Seeker: The IIR seeker helps in accurate target acquisition during both day and night operations.
- Tandem HEAT Warhead: It is designed to penetrate Explosive Reactive Armour before destroying the main armour.
- Lightweight Design: It can be carried and operated by infantry units, improving tactical mobility.
- All-weather Capability: It is designed to operate effectively under different battlefield conditions.
These features make MPATGM suitable for modern warfare, where mobility, precision and quick response are essential for infantry formations.
Recent Developments
MPATGM was recently in the news after DRDO successfully conducted flight tests of the third-generation Fire-and-Forget MPATGM with top-attack capability against a moving target. The successful trials demonstrated the missile’s accuracy, seeker performance and operational capability.
The missile has also been approved under recent defence acquisition proposals. This reflects India’s continued push towards indigenous defence manufacturing and the larger objective of Aatmanirbhar Bharat in the defence sector.
Significance
MPATGM is expected to significantly strengthen India’s anti-armour capability, especially at the infantry level. It will allow soldiers to engage enemy tanks and armoured vehicles with greater precision and safety.
Its importance lies in:
- Enhancing infantry capability against modern tanks.
- Reducing dependence on imported anti-tank missile systems.
- Strengthening India’s indigenous missile development ecosystem.
- Supporting the Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiative in defence.
- Providing high precision through Fire-and-Forget technology.
- Improving operational effectiveness during day, night and adverse weather conditions.
The missile represents an important step towards self-reliance in advanced missile technology and the modernisation of the Indian Army.
Challenges and Way Forward
Although MPATGM has demonstrated successful performance during trials, its long-term success depends on timely induction, large-scale production and continuous technological improvement.
Key priorities include:
- Completing user trials and operational induction without delays.
- Scaling up indigenous manufacturing through defence PSUs and private industry.
- Improving seeker technology and electronic counter-countermeasure capability.
- Integrating the missile with future infantry combat systems.
- Ensuring compatibility with network-centric warfare platforms.
- Sustaining investment in indigenous missile research and development.
The induction of MPATGM will strengthen India’s ability to counter armoured threats while advancing the country’s objective of achieving self-reliance in critical defence technologies.
