India completes trials of ant-tank guided missile `Nag’

India on Wednesday successfully test-fired anti-tank guided missile `Nag' in desert conditions. The test, conducted in the desert area in Pokharan against two different targets, proved Nag's capabilities in desert conditions.

Defence Research and Development Organisation said the tests were conducted in different conditions against two tank targets at different ranges and timings.

With this, the developmental trials of the missile have been completed and it is now ready for induction into the armed forces.

The Nag is a third-generation ''fire-and-forget'' missile. Once fired, its infrared seekers automatically guides the missile to the target. Initially, the Army is likely to place an order for 443 Nag ATGMs and 13 NAMICA missile launch vehicles. In its perspective plan, the Army has projected the need for 7,000 Nag missiles and around 200 NAMICAs.

The DRDO is currently developing two new variants of the missile for the Indian Air Force: the 8 km-range 'Helina' to arm Dhruv Advanced Light Helicopter and a 10 km-range variant capable of being launched from aircraft. A man-portable version of the missile, which would weigh less than 14 kg, is also being developed.

Director General (Missiles and Strategic Systems) G Satheesh Reddy said that with the successful test flights, the technologies pertaining to ATGM to engage targets in different conditions have been established.

Chairman, DRDO and Secretary, Department of Defence R&D S Christopher congratulated the Nag team for the achievement.

The Nag ATGM, which has been developed by the DRDO, adds to the list of India's missile arsenal, which also includes the Agni, Prithvi, Nirbhay, and Dhanush series of missiles, while submarine-launched ballistic missiles Sagarika and Shaurya along with Prahaar and Agni-V are in the development stage.

Earlier, India also successfully test-fired indigenously developed Dhanush missile off Odisha coast. The surface-to-surface missile is a naval variant of nuclear-capable Prithvi missile which can hit any target in the range of 350 km. The missile was test-fired from a ship positioned near Paradip in the Bay of Bengal at around 10.52 AM,  defence officials said.

Dhanush is capable of carrying a payload of 500 kg and hitting both land and sea-based targets. Officials added that the trial of the missile was conducted by Strategic Force Command (SFC) of the defence forces.