Diplomat Correspondent
New Delhi, DRDO successfully flight-tested the third generation Fire & Forget Man Portable Anti-Tank Guided Missile (MPATGM) with top attack capability against a moving target at KK Ranges, Ahilya Nagar, Maharashtra, on January 11, 2026. The test was conducted by DRDO’s Defence Research & Development Laboratory, Hyderabad.
The indigenously developed MPATGM consists of Imaging Infrared (IIR) Homing Seeker, all-electric Control Actuation System, Fire Control System, Tandem Warhead, propulsion system and a high-performance sighting system developed by DRDO laboratories including Research Centre Imarat, Hyderabad, Terminal Ballistics Research Laboratory, Chandigarh, High Energy Materials Research Laboratory, Pune, and Instruments Research & Development Establishment, Dehradun.
The Thermal Target System simulating a target tank was developed by Defence Laboratory, Jodhpur. The IIR seeker supports day and night combat operations and the warhead is capable of defeating modern main battle tanks. Bharat Dynamics Limited and Bharat Electronics Limited are the Development-Cum-Production Partners for the weapon system. The missile can be launched from a tripod or military vehicle launcher.
Raksha Mantri Rajnath Singh complimented DRDO, its partners and industry for the successful test, describing it as an important step towards Aatmanirbhar Bharat. Secretary, Department of Defence R&D and Chairman DRDO Dr Samir V Kamat said the trial target was successfully conducted, leading the weapon system towards induction into the Indian Army.DD
