Indian Government has decided to transfer the Anti Tank Missile technology of its third-party Anti-Tank Guided Missile (ATGM) “Nag” to the private industry.

The decision is in accordance with the Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s policies for the Defence sector.

What is Anti Tank Missile technology?

The Anti Tank Missile technology is for guided missiles which can hit and destroy heavily armed military vehicles. These Anti Tank Missile technology range in size from shoulder-launched weapons to larger mounted weapons which need a team. They are used to fire on vehicles and aircraft-mounted missile systems.

Defence Research and Development Organization (DRDO) initiated the transfer of Anti Tank Missile technology

The transfer of Anti Tank Missile technology is already in process by Defence Research and Development Organization (DRDO). This transfer of Anti Tank Missile technology is applicable for both ‘Nag’ and ‘Nag Missile Carrier (Namica)’.

Defence Research and Development Organization (DRDO)

Defence Research and Development Organization (DRDO) is the agency of republic India with its headquarters in New Delhi. The agency is entrusted with the military’s research and development operations controlled by the Ministry of Defence of India.

One of the officials of Defence Research and Development Organization confirmed about the document preparations done by them for transferring the Anti Tank Missile technology. The official said that the thought process is still there and they are working to implement the transfer process of Anti Tank Missile technology.

What are Nag and Namica?

Nag is the third generation “fire-and-forget” anti-tank missile of India with the range of about 4 kilometers. It is the creation of The Defence Research and Development Organization under the Integrated Guided Missile Development Program.

Namica, the other version of missile consist of “lock-on before launch” system. It consists of launchers and guidance package. It includes an inbuilt Thermal imager for target locking.

According to the officials, before initiating the transferring process of Anti Tank Missile technology they need to confirm many things. Whether the Indian industry will be able to build the entire Missile System or not? They have many proposals coming in and they are discussing multiple options to go with.

Proposals by Industries for Anti Tank Missile technology

With the commitment from the Ministry of Defence (MoD), the Society of Indian Defence Manufacturer will be able to successfully produce the missiles.

Proposals from Big industries like Reliance, Mahindra, Baba Kalyani Group, and L&T has already been submitted for taking the Anti Tank Missile technology.

The proposal given to the ministry was based on the earlier request for information (RFI) and an expression of interest (EoI) for the Arjun tank (BMP-II). However, the ministry has still not finalized any decision.

According to retired Col HS Shankar an executive member of SIDM, the company has the capability to work on Anti Tank Missile technology because of which they have already expressed their interest.

He further said that DRDO is already working with many private companies for the Nag development so it is not a new task for them. According to him the combination will comprise of public and private companies for acquiring the Anti Tank Missile technology.

According to the terms and conditions of Directorate General of Mechanised Forces (DGMF) and the Army for up gradation of BMP-II (Arjun), the industries should be capable to produce up to date art state ground to ground missiles. But none of the proposals given fulfilled this conditions which are making difficult for them to take any decision.

Therefore the selected company might develop the missiles in participation with Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL).