DRDO successfully flight-tests indigenous third-generation MPATGM with top-attack capability

The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) on Sunday (January 11, 2026) successfully flight-tested the indigenously developed third-generation fire-and-forget Man Portable Anti-Tank Guided Missile (MPATGM) with top-attack capability against a moving target at the KK Ranges in Ahilya Nagar, Maharashtra.

According to Ministry of Defence, the flight test was conducted by DRDO’s Defence Research & Development Laboratory (DRDL), Hyderabad, and it marks a significant milestone towards the induction of the advanced anti-tank weapon system into the Indian Army.

Cutting-edge indigenous technology

The MPATGM incorporates cutting-edge indigenous technologies, including an Imaging Infrared (IIR) homing seeker, all-electric control actuation system, advanced fire control system, tandem warhead, propulsion system and a high-performance sighting system. These critical subsystems have been developed by DRDO’s sister laboratories — Research Centre Imarat (RCI), Hyderabad; Terminal Ballistics Research Laboratory (TBRL), Chandigarh; High Energy Materials Research Laboratory (HEMRL), Pune; and Instruments Research & Development Establishment (IRDE), Dehradun, MoD added.

The Thermal Target System used during the trial was developed by Defence Laboratory, Jodhpur, to simulate a tank target. The IIR seeker provides robust day-and-night operational capability, while the tandem warhead is designed to defeat modern main battle tanks equipped with advanced armour protection.

Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL) and Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) are the development-cum-production partners (DcPP) for the MPATGM. The missile can be launched from a tripod-mounted system as well as from a military vehicle-based launcher, enhancing its operational flexibility.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh congratulated the DRDO, the DcPP partners and the Indian industry for the successful test, describing it as a major step towards achieving Aatmanirbhar Bharat in defence technologies. Secretary, Department of Defence R&D and Chairman DRDO, Dr. Samir V. Kamat, also congratulated the team and stated that the successful trial paves the way for the weapon system’s induction into the Indian Army.