The Hindu Business Line : NAG test-fired successfully

INDIA has successfully test fired the world's most advanced third generation anti-tank guided missile (ATGM) — NAG and thus joins a select group of countries.Defence scientists achieved a direct hit of a target placed at a distance of two km, as the NAG missile was fired from the BMP II-based NAG missile carrier (NAMICA), on June 10, from the Shamirpet Field Firing Range on the outskirts of Hyderabad.

NAG is the most IT-intensive missile and defence scientists hope to demonstrate the trials of the anti-tank weapon against real moving tanks to the Indian Army during August-September, 2004, according to Dr Prahlada, Director, Defence Research and Development Laboratory (DRDL), the Hyderabad-based lab, directing five top missile projects of the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO).

NAG's successful test flight on June 10 makes it the only missile in the world today to have four distinctive capabilities rolled in one and thus is most advanced, Dr Prahlada told Business Line.

The capabilities include imaging infrared technology, which helps in distinguishing a tank from other vehicles accurately; ability to hit a reach of 4 km; fire and forget feature and finally an on-board missile guidance to ensure that the weapon hits the heavily armoured battle tank from top and inflict maximum damage, the DRDL Director explained.

NAG's imaging-infrared homing seeker makes it effective during both day and night operations. It also has a tandem heat warhead designed to defeat modern and futuristic tanks.

The NAMICA-NAG system will carry 12 NAG missiles, making it a very potent anti-armour weapon for the mechanised forces of the Indian Army.

Mr S.S. Mishra, the project director, scientists from the DRDO's Missile Complex in Hyderabad, officers from Bharat Electronics Ltd (BEL), Chennai, and the Indian Army took part in the milestone test.

The NAG missile has hit static targets with five times accuracy and some more tests will be done to exhibit its full reach and features, Mr Mishra said.

The Indian Army requires a few thousand NAGs, each of which costs approximately Rs 50 lakh, when produced indigenously, Dr Prahlada said. Hyderabad-based defence public sector unit, Bharat Dynamics Ltd (BDL), which manufacturers the country's range of missile will also make the NAG missile. Several PSUs and the private industry will participate in the fabricating and assembly of key components.

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