DRDO successfully tests 'indigenous' anti-tank and new surface-to-air missile systems

New Delhi, July 22: The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) tested two missile systems Wednesday, which included a Man-Portable Anti-Tank Guided Missile (MPATGM) for the Indian Army and a new variant of the Akash Surface-to-Air Missile — Akash-NG — for the Indian Air Force. In both tests, the mission objectives were successfully met by the missile systems.

 

 

According to the Ministry of Defence, the Akash NG system was flight tested from the Integrated Test Range (ITR) off the coast of Odisha at 12:45 pm on Wednesday from a land-based platform. During the test, the weapon system elements such as Multifunction Radar, Command, Control and Communication System and launcher functioned in deployment configuration. DRDO scientists said the missile system has a range of close to 60 km and can travel 2.5 times the speed of sound (2.5 Mach).

 

 

The missile system is developed by DRDO's Lab in Hyderabad in collaboration with other DRDO laboratories. During the test, the missile demonstrated the high maneuverability required for neutralizing fast and agile aerial threats. Once deployed, the Akash-NG weapon system will prove to be a force multiplier for the air defence capability of the Indian Air Force. Production agencies Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) and Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL) also participated in the trials.

 

In the case of the second trial of MPATGM, the DRDO flight-tested the indigenously developed low weight, ‘fire and forget’ type MPATGM. The missile was launched from a man-portable launcher on a target that was mimicking a tank. The missile hit the target in direct attack mode and destroyed it with precision.

 

Most modern missiles can be fired in ‘top-attack’ and ‘direct attack’ modes. In the top attack mode, the missile is required to climb sharply after launch and travel at a certain altitude then plunge on top of the target. In the direct attack mode, the missile travels at a lower altitude directly striking the target.

 

 

In the MPATGM test, the system has been tested for its minimum range successfully. All the mission objectives were met and the missile has already been successfully flight tested for the maximum range of the system, the Ministry said.“The missile is incorporated with state-of-the-art miniaturised Infrared Imaging Seeker along with advanced avionics. The test brings the development of indigenous third generation man portable Anti-Tank Guided Missile close to completion,” it said.

 

Minister of Defence Rajnath Singh and DRDO chairman Dr G Satheesh Reddy congratulated the DRDO teams and all other stakeholders involved in the development, production and testing of both missile systems.