Army on lookout for ‘new generation’ anti-tank missiles to counter emerging threats
Drawing a leaf from the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict where advanced anti-tank weapons have played a significant role, the Indian Army is now on the lookout for “new generation” anti-tank guided missiles (ATGMs) to meet its present and emerging operational requirements in different theatres.
“Infantry battalions, while operating in any environment characterised by a high density of mechanised threat, need a modern and effective new generation ATGM platform to counter the prevailing threat. New generation ATGM having capability of fire and forget, fire and observe, top attack and direct attack modes should be provided,” a request for information (RFI) issued by the Ministry of Defence on October 10 states.
“New generation ATGMs along with launcher systems will be employed in plains, desert and high-altitude mountainous terrain and environmental conditions. New generation ATGMs should be able to destroy enemy tanks, armoured personnel carriers, combat vehicles, low flying helicopters, concrete structures and other vehicle-based weapon platforms or positions,” RFI read.
The Indian Armed Forces operate several types of ATGMs that are man-portable, vehicle based or helicopter launched variants. These are indigenously developed as well as of Russian, Israeli and French origin. While some of these are recent developments, others are vintage systems.
According to sources, the Armed Forces would be having an inventory of close to 1 lakh anti-tank missiles. Some are direct imports while others have been licence-produced in India or designed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation like the Nag and Helina.
The Russian 9M-133 Kornet, US-made FGM-148 Javelin and British-Swede Next-Generation Light Anti-Tank Weapon are examples of contemporary weapons being used in the Russia-Ukraine war that have had an impact.
Anti-tank missiles, with varying types of guidance systems, have a range of up to 4 km, and besides destroying armoured vehicles, can also be used to target buildings, bunkers and hardened shelters as has been witnessed in the past along the Line of Control. The Army has also been conducting drills on the employment of such weapons in high altitude areas.
The stipulated range of the new missiles is at least 4 km. These systems should be operational by day and night and in commonly encountered weather conditions including rain, fog, humidity and dust in all types of terrains up to an altitude of 18,000 feet at temperatures ranging from minus 45 degrees Celsius to 45 degrees Celsius.
The Army wants the new ATGMs along with the launcher systems to be modular in design, thereby lending itself to future upgrades through simple modifications not leading to design or structural change. It should also facilitate integration and installation without impacting the performance of any system or subsystem.
