An indigenously developed laser-guided anti-tank guided missile (ATGM) has been successfully test-fired by the DRDO at a firing range in Maharashtra’s Ahmednagar.

The weapon was test-fired from MBT Arjun at KK Ranges in Armoured Corps Centre and School in Ahmednagar.

Features of the laser-guided ATGM:

Pune-based Armament Research and Development Establishment (ARDE) developed the ATGM in association with High Energy Materials Research Laboratory and Instruments Research and Development Establishment (IRDE).

Laser-guided ATGMs lock and track the targets with the help of laser designation to ensure accuracy. During the tests, the ATGM successfully defeated a target located at 3km.

The missile employs a tandem high-explosive anti-tank (HEAT) warhead to defeat explosive reactive armour protected vehicles. 

It has been developed with multiple-platform launch capability and is currently undergoing technical evaluation trials from the gun of MBT Arjun.

The laser-guided ATGM is likely to significantly enhance the fire-power capability of the Indian Army particularly along the frontiers with Pakistan and China.

Features of MBT Arjun:

Main Battle Tank (MBT) Arjun is a multi-laboratory programme of DRDO with Combat Vehicles Research and Development Establishment (CVRDE) as the lead laboratory. It is a state-of-the-art tank with superior fire power, high mobility, and excellent protection.

Arjun is a third generation main battle tank which has been referred as “Desert Ferrari” by tank experts.

The superior armour defeating capability of the indigenously developed Fin Stabilised Armour Piercing Discarding Sabot (FSAPDS) ammunition and 120 mm calibre rifled gun give MBT ARJUN an edge over contemporary world tanks. 

A computer-controlled integrated fire control system incorporating day-cum-night stabilised sighting system guarantees a very high first round hit probability and reduced reaction time to bring effective fire on targets.

MBT Arjun Mk-II has been designed and developed incorporating 84 improvements (73 tank fittable) over MBT Arjun Mk-I. 

Other ATGMS developed by DRDO

Earlier, DRDO has successfully tested NAG and HELINA anti-tank guided missiles. 

The NAG missile has been developed by DRDO to engage highly fortified enemy tanks in all weather conditions with day and night capabilities and with a minimum range of 500m and maximum range of 4 km. It is a third generation fire-and-forget-class missile and uses an imaging infrared seeker in lock-on-before-launch mode. The missile is launched from the NAG missile carrier (NAMICA) which is capable of carrying up to six combat missiles.

HELINA (HELIcopter-launched-NAg) is a third generation fire-and-forget class anti-tank guided missile (ATGM) system mounted on the Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH). The missile has a maximum range capability of 7 km. The system has all weather day and night capability and can defeat battle tanks with conventional armour as well as explosive reactive armour. The HELINA missile can engage targets both in direct hit mode as well as top attack mode. HELINA Weapon Systems is being inducted into the Indian Army. A variant of HELINA Weapon System called DHRUVASTRA is being inducted into the Indian Air Force.

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