DRDO’s NAG: India’s Cutting-Edge Top Attack Anti-Tank Missile
India’s defense landscape is set to witness a significant transformation. On March 27, 2025, the Ministry of Defence signed landmark contracts worth ₹2,500 crore to strengthen the Indian Armed Forces, marking a pivotal step toward modernization and self-reliance. These strategic agreements aim to enhance both weaponry and military mobility, reinforcing India's "Aatmanirbhar Bharat" (self-reliant India) vision.
A Game-Changer: DRDO’s NAG Missile System
One of the most notable inclusions in these procurements is the Nag Missile System (NAMIS)—a third-generation, fire-and-forget anti-tank guided missile (ATGM) developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and produced by Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL).
Key Features of the Nag Missile:
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Third-Generation ATGM: Designed to autonomously track and engage enemy armor without further guidance after launch.
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Imaging Infrared (IIR) Seeker: Enables lock-on-before-launch capability with high precision in day or night operations.
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Top Attack Mode: The missile climbs post-launch and dives onto the target from above, striking the tank’s weakest point—the turret.
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Direct Attack Mode: Maintains a low-altitude trajectory to directly impact the target head-on.
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Penetration Capability: Effective against both composite and explosive reactive armor (ERA).
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Range: Operational from a minimum of 500 meters up to 4 kilometers.
Mounted on the BMP-2 chassis, the tracked Nag Missile Carrier—known as NAMICA (Nag Missile Carrier)—offers amphibious capability, ensuring high mobility across challenging terrains.
Other Variants of the Nag Missile
The Nag family has evolved into multiple configurations to serve different branches of the armed forces:
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HELINA (Helicopter-launched Nag): Designed for integration with Rudra and Light Combat Helicopters (LCH); successfully tested in 2018.
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Dhruvastra: An advanced version of HELINA for high-altitude operations and enhanced performance.
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MPATGM (Man-Portable ATGM): Tailored for infantry use, providing on-foot soldiers with high-precision tank-killing capability.
Driving Indigenous Defense Manufacturing
These procurements align with the ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’ initiative, promoting indigenous defense production, creating employment, and empowering MSMEs (Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises) to play a key role in national security.
The NAG missile system represents a critical move toward reducing dependency on foreign defense imports and elevating India’s strategic autonomy.
Conclusion
With these forward-looking defense acquisitions, India is not only modernizing its armed forces but also strengthening its position as a global defense manufacturer. The integration of DRDO’s Nag missile system marks a substantial leap in India’s journey toward operational superiority and technological self-reliance.