India tests new anti-tank missile system (VIDEO)

India has successfully test-fired an indigenously made portable anti-tank guided missile. Developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), the country’s primary agency for developing weapons, this is the third generation of India’s Man-Portable Anti Tank Guided Missile (MP-ATGM) system designed specifically to destroy enemy tanks and armoured vehicles.

The test was conducted at a field firing range in Jaisalmer, Rajasthan, ANI news agency reported, citing DRDO officials. The test brings the development of the system near to completion, the report noted. 

The system’s initial trials were conducted in April. “Missile performance and warhead performance were found to be remarkable,” the Defence Ministry’s statement noted at the time.

Following the latest test, Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has termed the development as an “important step towards achieving self-reliance in advanced technology-based defence system development,” according to NDTV.

The development comes amid New Delhi’s efforts to increase the production of indigenously developed weaponry and boost exports. India has seen a ten-fold increase in military exports sine 2017. Last year its overseas arms sales stood at 159 billion rupees ($1.8 billion), and the target set by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led government is to increase this figure to 500 billion rupees (nearly $6 billion). 

Defence exports soared by 78% in the first quarter of the current financial year, compared to the same period a year ago, New Delhi said last week.

According to Hindustan Times, India ships military hardware, including missiles, advanced light helicopters, offshore patrol vessels, personal protective gear, surveillance systems and radars to around 85 countries. 

Meanwhile, New Delhi has approved a list over 36,000 items that have to be manufactured domestically, rather than imported. A third of this quota has already been reached. So far, this has allowed Indian defense manufacturers to place orders worth over 75 billion rupees ($900 million) with domestic vendors.

The DRDO on Tuesday also showcased dozens of other made-in-India weapon systems at the Tarang Shakti military exercise of the Indian Air Force, which is underway in southern India’s Tamil Nadu state.

Despite actively increasing its domestic defence manufacturing strength, the South Asian country remains the world’s largest arms purchaser. From 2019 to 2023, it accounted for 36% of global arms imports, with Russia being India’s biggest supplier, according to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI). 

You can share this story on social media:

Follow RT on