COVER STORY

Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) successfully flight tested the final deliverable configuration of Man Portable Anti-Tank Guided Missile (MPATGM) on January 11, 2022.  The indigenously developed anti-tank missile is a low weight, fire & forget missile and is launched from a man portable launcher, integrated with thermal sight. The missile impacted the designated target and destroyed it. The final impact event was captured on camera and the test has validated the minimum range successfully. 

The present test was to prove the consistent performance for the minimum range. All the mission objectives were met. The missile has miniaturised infrared imaging seeker and advanced avionics for on-board control and guidance. The missile performance has been proven for the maximum range in earlier test trials. 

Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh has congratulated DRDO for the consistent performance of the anti-tank missile and said that this is an important step towards Atmanirbhar Bharat in advanced technology-based defence system development. Secretary Department of Defence R&D and Chairman DRDO Dr G Satheesh Reddy congratulated the team for the excellent performance of the missile during the test.

The Indian Army has inked a Memorandum of Understanding with the Bhaskaracharya National Institute for Space Applications and Geo-Informatics (BISAG-N), Gandhinagar, Gujarat. This MoU will facilitate exchange of knowledge and collaboration in the fields emerging technologies for development of GIS and IT based Enterprise Resource Planning Software, Training Content, Telecasting of Audio-Visual Content, Research and Knowledge Partnership, Technical Support and Upgradation for Resources Developed under a holistic partnership for projects which have the prior approval of Army Management Studies Board (AMSB) or approved on case-to-case basis. The MOU will leverage the relative advantage of BISAG-N to support training and evolving innovative solutions to boost operational capabilities of the Indian Armed Forces.

BISAG-N which is an autonomous scientific society under the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, Government of India will act as a medium of exchange of knowledge and collaboration in the fields of emerging technologies.

General MM Naravane, COAS addressed the gathering through virtual platform in which he emphasized that signing of this MoU is a path breaking initiative towards enhancing the interaction of Indian Army with academia. The Army Chief stated that ‘Atmanirbharta’ is the key to staying ahead of technological curve over our adversaries for which the Learning Management System projects for Map Reading, IT training and Geo-spatial Information system with BISAG-N are a great beginning in which the joint collaboration is already showing a promising beginning.

The event was presided over by Lt Gen Raj Shukla, GOC-in-C Army Training Command. He stressed that this is a step towards strengthening the linkages between academia and the Indian Military. He laid specific emphasis on ‘Civil-Military Relations’, and expounded multifaceted aspects pertaining to mutual cooperation. These MoUs will act as catalyst and enabler for orienting academia towards strengthening the nation’s defence and capability enhancement.

Shri T. P. Singh, DG, BISAG-N, highlighted that with signing of this MoU, BISAG-N will act as a medium of exchange of knowledge and collaboration in the fields of emerging technology for development of GIS and IT based software, generation of customised training content, telecasting audio-visual training content, develop specific projects required by Indian Army in the fields of IT and AI. BISAG-N dedicated the Learning Management System (LMS) developed for ARTRAC and its affiliated institutes, during the event. The landmark MoU will facilitate and strengthen institutional cooperation between the Indian Army and BISAG-N towards strategising and implementing programmes pertaining to training, research and capability development.