India’s lethal anti-tank missile ‘Nag’ test-fired successful, ready for Ladakh deployment

New Delhi: In a major boost for the indigenisation in defence sector, India today successfully carried out the final trial of the Nag anti-tank guided missile after which the weapon system is now ready for induction into the Indian Army.

“India today successfully carried out the final trial of the DRDO-developed Nag anti-tank guided missile with a warhead. The test was carried out at 6:45 am at the Pokhran field firing ranges in Rajasthan,” Defence Research and Development Organisation officials told ANI here.

The Missile system is now ready for induction into the Indian Army which has been looking for such a missile system to take down the enemy tanks and other armoured vehicles.

#WATCH: The successful final trial of Nag anti-tank guided missile conducted earlier today at Pokhran field firing ranges in Rajasthan.

The missile is now ready for induction into the armed forces. pic.twitter.com/lsExIBbefR

— ANI (@ANI) October 22, 2020

The Nag Missile system fired from a Nag Missile Carrier (NAMICA) can take our targets at ranges of 4 to 7 kilometres and is fitted with an advanced seeker to home on to its target.

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.

Picture of the target hit by Nag anti-tank guided missile in its final trial conducted this morning.

The test was carried out at 6:45 am at the Pokhran field firing ranges in Rajasthan. pic.twitter.com/g2qexAEZUT

— ANI (@ANI) October 22, 2020

The Army needs third-generation ATGMs with a strike range of over 2.5km with fire and forget capabilities. It needs them to equip its mechanised infantry units to carry them on their Russian BMP vehicles.

The army is currently using second-generation Milan 2T and Konkur ATGMs and has been looking for about third-generation missiles, which are important for stopping advancing enemy tanks.

The Defence Ministry in 2018 had cleared the acquisition of 300 Nag missiles and 25 NAMICAs for the Indian Army.