DRDO tests fire, forget portable guided missile

Kurnool: The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) successfully flight-tested the indigenously developed, low-weight, fire and forget, Man-Portable Anti-tank Guided Missile (MPATGM) in the testing ranges here in Kurnool, Andhra Pradesh, on Wednesday.

Kurnool has joined the ranks of a testing range for the Indian defence with this development. The portable missile was test-fired from the Palakol village, near Orvakal, some 30 kilometers from Kurnool city. The historic MPATGM was test-fired between 4 and 5.30 am. The missile was launched from a man-portable tripod launcher. The target was a working prototype of a functional tank. The missile hit the target in top attack mode and destroyed it with precision. All the mission objectives were met.

This is the third series of the successful testing of MPATGM. The missile is incorporated with state-of-the-art infrared imaging seekers, along with advanced avionics. The test paves the way for the Indian Army to have developed third-generation man-portable ATG missiles indigenously.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh congratulated the DRDO for the successful test.