DRDO DECLARES INDIA SELF-RELIANT IN ANTI-TANK MISSILES

India’s Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) declared self-reliance in anti-tank guided missiles after successfully test-firing an indigenous Man Portable Anti-Tank Guided Missile (MPATGM) on September 11 at a test-firing range in Kurnool in Andhra Pradesh. This is the third successful test-firing of DRDO’s MPATGM. The DRDO seeks to shut the doors for import of this category of missiles. Although the Indian Army recently made an urgent purchase of a limited quantity of Israeli Spike anti-tank missiles, a much larger procurement of these missiles was cancelled last year after the DRDO indicated that its technology for a third-generation ATGM was close to maturity. The Indian Army has an estimated requirement of 70,000 thirdgeneration ATGMs, and about 850 launchers. It seeks to phase out the Milan 2T and Konkur ATGMs that it is currently using.