Anti-Tank Missiles [UPSC Notes]

The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) successfully test launched the indigenously developed laser-guided variant of the Anti-Tank Guided Missile (ATGM) on two different times lately, and it will undergo more validation testing in the coming days before it is ready for user trials. When dealing with armoured vehicles, we look at the importance of the weapons system.

The indigenously produced Army and Air Force versions of anti-tank guided missile systems ‘Helina’ and ‘Dhruvastra’ were successfully test-fired in the Pokhran range Thar Desert Rajasthan.

Attempt Free General Knowledge Mock test! Download Entri App!

What are Anti Tank Missiles?

Anti-Tank Missiles (ATMs) are precision-guided missiles meant to destroy or damage heavily armoured vehicles like tanks. They’re guided missiles that use a variety of guiding algorithms, such as wire-guided missiles, laser-guided missiles, and have a number of parameters, which are listed below:

Download Entri App & prepare for various govt exams.

When did ATGMs first come into use?

Since World War I, there has been a race to find ammunition that can pierce tank armour and materials that can survive such ammo. Armies around the world didn’t start using ATGMs, missile systems that can strike and neutralise armoured vehicles like tanks, until the following World War.

While the Indian Army primarily employs several imported anti-tank guided missiles, as part of the Integrated Guided Missile Development Program, the DRDO has been developing ATGMs that can be launched from a variety of platforms.

In September of last year, the indigenously produced low-weight, fire-and-forget Man Portable Anti-Tank Guided Missile (MPATGM) was successfully tested. ATGM Nag was successfully tested in the desert in February 2018. All of these systems are in varying stages of development and are mostly utilised by Army infantry units. Meanwhile, the government said in December 2019 that it has purchased Anti-Tank Spike Missiles from Israel, as well as allied systems, to suit the Indian Army’s operational needs.

How are laser-guided ATGMs different?

The laser-guided ATGM, which was successfully tested on September 22 and later on October 1, differs from all ATGMS created to date primarily in one area. This ATGM, which has yet to be given a name, is intended to be launched from tanks. It locks and tracks targets with the use of laser designation to assure precision in attacking the target, with a range of 1.5 to 5 kilometres. A ‘tandem’ High Explosive Anti Tank (HEAT) warhead is used by the missile. The term tandem refers to missiles that use several detonations to efficiently overcome defensive armour. This missile is capable of piercing armoured vehicles that are equipped with specifically built armour plates to deflect such projectiles.

The Armament Research and Development Establishment (ARDE) and the High Energy Materials Research Laboratory (HEMRL) of the DRDO’s Armament and Combat Engineering Cluster in Pune, in collaboration with the Instruments Research and Development Establishment (IRDE) in Dehradun, developed this Laser Guided ATGM.

It is now being tested to see if it can be incorporated into India’s Arjun Main Battle Tank (MBT). More experiments for striking targets at various ranges and testing other flying parameters are planned in the coming days, according to DRDO scientists. The system will be ready for the Army’s user trial after a series of validation tests, when it will be tested for various weather conditions, among other things.

These tests were carried out from the MBT Arjun on the field ranges of the Indian Army’s Armoured Corps Centre and School (ACC&S) in the outskirts of Ahmednagar, Maharashtra. The missile was tested for a target at a range of 3 kilometres on September 22. It was successfully test fired for a slightly longer range on October 1.

Attempt Free General Knowledge Mock test! Download Entri App!

Anti-Tank Missiles in India

The DRDO Anti-Tank Missile (DRDO ATM) was a 1st Generation missile with Wire Guided guidance technology developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO). In the table below, anti-tank missiles in India are discussed:

Important Points 

1. The Helina (Army version) and Dhruvastra (Indian Airforce version) are third-generation anti-tank guided missiles that are launched from helicopters (the Nag missile system).
2. The missile systems were created and developed by the DRDO in-house.
3. The missile system is capable of defeating battle tanks with conventional and explosive reactive armour in any weather conditions.
4. Both the ‘Helina’ and the ‘Dhruvastra’ can engage targets in direct hit and top attack modes.

• Direct Hit Mode – The missile descends to a lower height and strikes the target directly.
• Top attack mode: After launch, the missile must climb swiftly and travel at a predetermined altitude before plunging on top of the target.

5. The Nag missile has a maximum range of 4 kilometres, but the Helina has an extended strike range of around 8 kilometres.

Attempt Free General Knowledge Mock test! Download Entri App!

What were the previously tested ATGMs?

• ATGM Nag was successfully tested in the desert in 2018.
• The low-weight, fire-and-forget Man-Portable ATGM (MPATGM), developed in-house, was successfully tested in 2019.
• All of these systems are still in the early phases of development and are primarily used by Army infantry units.
• In 2019, the government announced that it has purchased Anti-Tank Spike Missiles from Israel to suit the Indian Army’s needs.

What is Man-Portable Anti Tank Guided Missile?

The Indian Army’s infantry and parachutists (Special Forces) will use the Man-Portable Anti-Tank Guided Missile. It is ‘Soft’ launched from a canister using an Ejection Motor and uses a state-of-the-art IIR seeker for homing onto the target. The man-portable missile, which is launched from a tripod, has a launch weight of less than 15 kilogrammes.

Anti-Tank Missiles [UPSC Notes] – Download Here

This topic is linked to General Studies paper 3’s Defense and Security issues. The UPSC Syllabus includes a section on defence that is both significant and dynamic. Because DRDO is such an important aspect of the country’s defence system, it is a hot issue among IAS candidates. The Commission has asked a number of questions about missile launches, their sorts, and so forth. It is necessary to know various facts and numbers relevant to the topic in order to answer such factual questions in the UPSC Prelims.

Attempt Free General Knowledge Mock test! Download Entri App!

I hope you found this article useful. The secret to clearing an exam is to prepare methodically and strategically. If you’re a candidate looking to start your dream job but don’t know where to start, our Entri app has you covered. Our staff will provide you with content and insights on the topics that affect you. Become a member of our app today and enroll in one of the many programs available. Stay up to date on various elements of the subject you’re interested in by using the app. Please feel free to leave any questions or concerns in the comments area. We will make every effort to reach back. Remove any self-doubts and negative thoughts from your mind. Make an effort to maintain a clear viewpoint. Consider why you desire this. Concentrate on the positive aspects of your situation and work diligently. Each day is a valuable gift that has been placed upon us, so make the most of it. Make an effort to improve yourself. Today is the day; let’s hope it goes well. Best wishes.