DRDO successfully tests MPATGM, a sea-to-sea version of BrahMos cruise missile

The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has announced the successful testing of the final configuration of its latest, sea-to-sea version of its own supersonic cruise missile, BrahMos. The premier defence research body of India showcased videos of its test flight earlier today via posts on Twitter. 

Officially named Man Portable Anti-Tank Guided Missile (MPATGM), the cruise missile was test-launched from INS Visakhapatnam, the stealth guided-missile destroyer and the lead ship of the Indian Navy. A DRDO statement on the matter said, “Equipped with an imaging infrared seeker and advanced avionics, the MPATGM was flight tested for reliability and efficacy today. The missile hit the target with pinpoint accuracy.” 

According to a government statement, MPATGM is a low weight, fire-and-forget anti-tank missile, and is launched from a thermal sight integrated man portable launcher. The flight test successfully validated the minimum range of the missile, which has been said to be a sea-to-sea variant of India’s premier supersonic cruise missile, BrahMos. 

Conceptualised since 1998, BrahMos is the world’s fastest anti-ship supersonic cruise missile presently in operation. The missile was upgraded to reach up to 650km in range in 2019, with plans to expand its eventual range to 1500km. The final range that the BrahMos-derived MPATGM anti-tank missile would be able to reach has not been disclosed yet. 

DRDO chairman G. Satheesh Reddy, and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh both congratulated the organisation for the consistent performance of MPATGM. Singh further stated that the development made for an important step towards India’s Aatmanirbhar Bharat narrative in developing advanced technology-based defence systems. 

In December 2021, the DRDO had successfully test launched Pralay, its own quasi-ballistic, surface to surface missile. The latter integrated a new missile guidance system, with a new navigation system in place. The missile has a range of 500 kilometres.