Comprehensive News & Analysis

28-10-2020 | 16:40 PM

NAG anti-tank guided missile ready for induction into Indian Army

Context

On October 22, India successfully carried out the final trial of 3rd generation NAG anti-tank guided missile (ATGM) with the warhead, after which the weapon system is now ready for induction into the Indian Army. The test was carried out at the Pokhran field firing ranges in Rajasthan at 6:45 am.

Highlights

• The Nag missile is an Indian third-generation, all-weather, fire-and-forget, lock-on after launch, anti-tank guided missile (ATGM).
  • Anti-Tank Guided Missiles are missile systems that can attack armoured vehicles such as tanks and neutralise them.
  • They can pierce the tank armours and the material which can withstand such ammo.
• The Nag missile is being indigenously developed as a part of the Integrated Guided Missile Development Program (IGMDP) run by the DRDO.
• The Nag missile will be produced by Defence Public Sector Undertaking (PSU) Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL), while the NAMICA will be developed by the Ordnance Factory, Medak.
• It has a 90 per cent single-shot hit probability and its shelf life is approximately ten years.
• The missile was launched from NAG Missile Carrier NAMICA.
  • The NAMICA is a Russian-origin BMP-II based system with amphibious capability.
  • The BMP-II is a mechanized infantry combat vehicle
• The NAG missile has been developed to strike and neutralise highly-fortified enemy tanks and it also has night strike capabilities.
• NAG missile has a minimum range of 500 metres and a maximum range of 4 km. NAG uses an imaging infra-red seeker to lock on to the target before launch.
• The missile has “Fire & Forget” “Top Attack” capabilities with passive homing guidance to defeat all the MBTs equipped with composite and reactive armour.
• The NAG missile is a third-generation anti-tank guided missile, which has top attack capabilities that can effectively engage and destroy all known enemy tanks during day and night.
• In the top attack mode, the missile is required to ascend sharply after launch and travel at a certain altitude, then plunge on top of the target. In the direct attack mode, it directly striking the target and the missile travels at a lower altitude.
• There are five variants under development for the Nag missile:

1. A land version, for a mast-mounted system.
2. HELINA: The helicopter-launched Nag missile with an extended range. It is launched from wing-mounted launchers onboard HAL Rudra helicopters and HAL Light Combat Helicopters.
3. MPATGM: The Man-Portable Anti-tank Guided Missile (MP-ATGM) is a third-generation anti-tank guided missile derived from the Nag missile.
4. An air-launched version
5. NAMICA: Nag Missile Carrier tank buster.

Significance

• Nag will enter the production phase with this final user trial.
• The Indian Army will no longer have to import this weapon from other countries for a range of four kilometres.
• It has top attack capabilities that can effectively destroy all known enemy tanks during both day or night.
• Currently the Indian army using second generation Milan 2T and Konkur ATGMs and has been looking for about third-generation missiles, which are essential for stopping advancing enemy tanks.