Latest news with #Anti-TankGuidedMissiles
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Business Standard
09-05-2025
- Business Standard
India-Pak conflict: How anti-tank guided missiles are shaping ground combat
Anti-Tank Guided Missiles (ATGMs) are precision weapons built to destroy heavily armoured targets such as battle tanks. Their long-range capability allows troops to strike without exposing themselves to direct fire. Modern ATGMs can be launched from a variety of platforms: Shoulder-fired by infantry Mounted on tripods or vehicles Launched from helicopters or drones Over 130 countries currently operate ATGMs, and they've seen extensive use in conflicts like the Russia-Ukraine war. How ATGMs pierce armour: The technology behind the strike ATGMs use shaped-charge warheads that focus explosive energy in a single direction to penetrate thick armour. More advanced systems feature tandem warheads: The first charge defeats Explosive Reactive Armour (ERA) The second charge penetrates the main armour underneath Many systems also offer top-attack mode, where missiles strike the turret roof—typically the weakest part of a tank. Why modern ATGMs are so deadly in warfare Can tanks survive an ATGM hit? It depends on the defences Tanks today deploy multiple defensive technologies, including: ERA (Explosive Reactive Armour): Plates that explode to neutralise shaped charges Slat or cage armour: Metal grilles that cause premature detonation Smoke screens and evasive manoeuvres: To evade targeting Electronic jamming and decoys: To mislead incoming missiles APS (Active Protection Systems): Like Israel's Trophy or Russia's Afghanit, which track and destroy incoming missiles mid-air Though no tank is invincible, these layers drastically improve survivability. Why ATGMs are critical in India's ground warfare strategy ATGMs are cost-effective, easy to deploy, and high-impact tools for infantry. They: Enable foot soldiers to take down tanks Reduce the need for artillery or air support Are ideal for both conventional and asymmetric warfare As such, India is increasing investments not only in ATGM tech, but also in countermeasures and training for troops. Global combat use: Where ATGMs have made a battlefield impact ATGMs have played key roles in modern military conflicts, including: Ukraine: Javelins and NLAWs helped halt Russian tank advances As tanks evolve, so do missiles—keeping the tank-vs-missile arms race alive.
NDTV
09-05-2025
- Politics
- NDTV
What Is Anti-Tank Guided Missile India Used To Destroy Pak Post Across LoC
New Delhi: The Indian Army has used Anti-Tank Guided Missiles (ATGMs) to destroy several Pakistani military posts across the Line of Control (LoC), defence sources said this morning. This comes in retaliation for cross-border firing by Pakistani troops as tensions heightened between the two nations following a terrorist attack in Jammu and Kashmir's Pahalgam left 26 people dead. What Is An Anti-Tank Guided Missile (ATGM)? An Anti-Tank Guided Missile (ATGM) is a weapon system designed to destroy heavily armoured vehicles, especially tanks. These missiles are "guided," meaning they can be steered or locked onto a target, making it accurate compared to older anti-tank weapons. They can be fired from the shoulder, from tripods, or from vehicles and aircraft. Their key advantage is that they allow soldiers to engage armoured threats from a safe distance. How Do They Work? Most ATGMs use something called a shaped charge. This is a special type of explosive that focuses all its power in one direction, strong enough to punch through thick tank armour. Some modern ATGMs use tandem warheads. This means they have two explosions. The first blast hits and activates the tank's outer protection, called explosive reactive armour (ERA). ERA is designed to stop missiles by exploding outward. The second blast follows right after and breaks through the tank's main armour underneath. ATGMs are built to work both during the day and at night, making them useful in all kinds of conditions. Some of them also have a 'top-attack' mode, which means they can hit the tank from above where they are most vulnerable. Many modern ATGMs have something called a dual-mode seeker, which helps them find and follow their target more accurately. Can An ATGM Be Stopped? Some tanks use reactive armour, which are special plates that explode outward when hit, to stop the missile. Others use slat armour, which is a metal cage that can mess with the missile's fuse and make it blow up early. There are also systems that can jam the missile's signals or confuse it with decoys. Advanced tanks like Israel's Merkava use a system called Trophy. It can spot incoming missiles and shoot them down before they hit. This kind of Active Protection System (APS) is light, fast, and smart. Tanks can also use smoke, dust, or fast return fire to hide or destroy the missile operator before they can launch or guide the missile. This method was more common before today's "fire-and-forget" missiles, which don't need help after being launched. Over 130 countries use ATGMs today, and they have been widely seen in conflicts like the Russia-Ukraine war. On the intervening night of Tuesday-Wednesday, India had launched aerial strikes on terror camps deep inside Pakistan and Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir (PoK) under Operation Sindoor and then successfully thwarted Islamabad's missile and drone attacks. Officials said at least 50 drones aimed at military installations in Jammu, Pathankot, and Udhampur were swiftly neutralised.
