Bengaluru: The Defence Research and Development Organization (DRDO) successfully completed the final trial of Nag anti-tank missile using a live warhead on a dud tank at Pokhran army ranges at 6.45 am on Wednesday.

 

The shoulder launched four-kilometre range missile with imaging infrared seeker will now be inducted in 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 said in a release.

Developed indigenously by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), the Nag ATGM can be launched from both- land as well as air-based platforms. 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.

Earlier, the DRDO has test-fired Hypersonic Technology Demonstrator Vehicle (HSTDV) on September 7. This was followed by BrahMos, a long-range supersonic cruise missile which is crucial to India's strategic forces, followed by surface-to-surface nuclear-capable ballistic missile Shaurya. Rudram 1, a tactical anti-radiation air-to-ground missile was also tested days ago.

The series of tests may be viewed as a gesture of strength on the backdrop of an ongoing standoff with China along the Line of Actual Control (LAC). Backed by India's top political leadership, the development comes amid India's renewed push to reliance in defence. While PM Modi has vehemently stressed for Aatmanirbhar Bharat in his recent speeches, the flagship Make in India scheme has been aimed at boosting indigenous production, not just in defence, but even in other sectors.

PM Narendra Modi, as well as Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, have lauded DRDO's efforts towards strengthening India's defence capabilities.