India’s NAG Anti-Tank Missile Ready for Ladakh Deployment

India’s state-run Defence Research and Development Organization (DRDO) today conducted final tests of NAG anti-tank missile.

“Final user trial of 3rd generation Anti-Tank Guided Missile (ATGM) NAG was carried out today on 22 Oct 2020 at 0645 hrs from Pokhran range. The missile was integrated with the actual warhead and a tank target was kept at designated range,” DRDO said in a statement.

The shoulder-launched missile is now ready for induction at locations such as Ladakh. It has completed 10 successful user trials, Indian media reported citing government sources.

NAG is a third-generation, fire-and-forget, anti-tank guided missile developed to support both mechanised infantry and airborne forces of the Indian Army. It can be launched from land and air-based platforms. The NAG has a range of 4km.

The land version is currently available for integration on the NAG missile carrier (NAMICA), which is derived from a BMP-2 tracked infantry combat vehicle. NAMICA was launched in August by Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh together with other IFB products including an 8.6x70mm sniper rifle, a dual calibre anti-material rifle and an upgraded commander’s thermal imager and daysight device for T-90 tanks.

The anti-tank missile NAG (“Cobra” in Hindi) has an air-to-air missile version called “Helina” for mounting on the Light Combat Helicopter being produced by HAL. Helina ATGM has a maximum range of about 7km.