INDIA TO BUY INVAR ANTI TANK GUIDED MISSILES
Context: In May 2025, the Ministry of Defence is finalising a major procurement order for 500 Invar anti-tank guided missiles (ATGMs) from Bharat Dynamics Ltd (BDL), intended to enhance India’s armoured warfare capabilities and enhance the firepower of T-90 tanks. This comes shortly after Operation Sindoor.
PROCUREMENT DETAILS
- Buyer: Ministry of Defence, Government of India.
- Supplier: Bharat Dynamics Ltd (BDL).
- Item: 500 Invar anti-tank guided missiles (ATGMs).
- Estimated Value: ₹2,000–3,000 crore.
- Purpose: To bolster India’s armoured warfare capabilities, specifically enhancing the firepower of T-90 tanks. Invar missiles are designed to be launched from tank platforms.
- Deployment Status: Invar missiles are already deployed on India’s frontline T-90 main battle tanks and are known for their precision strike capability.
- Approval Process: The final value of the deal will determine the level of approval required:
- Up to ₹2,000 crore: Cleared by the Defence Minister.
- Closer to ₹3,000 crore: Cleared by the Finance Minister.
- Above ₹3,000 crore: Requires approval of the Cabinet.
- Strategic Initiative: This procurement is part of a broader government initiative to promote self-reliance in defence manufacturing under the Make in India
- BDL’s Role: Bharat Dynamics Ltd is a key supplier to the Indian Armed Forces and is at the forefront of this indigenization effort.
- Recent Context: The planned acquisition comes shortly after Operation Sindoor, a precision military strike against terrorist infrastructure in Pakistan following a deadly attack in Pahalgam.
ABOUT INVAR MISSILE
- Type: It is an anti-tank guided missile (ATGM).
- Launch Platform: Designed to be launched specifically from tank platforms, particularly from the barrel of T-90 tanks.
- Deployment: Has been in active deployment by Indian forces.
- Capability: Known for its long-range precision strike capability.
- Target: Can neutralize adversary tanks, including those fitted with Explosive Reactive Armour Protection (ERA, a type of add-on armour that explodes outwards on impact to disrupt incoming projectiles).
- Origin & Production: The Invar missile is originally built by Rosoboronexport of Russia, and it is produced under license in India by Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL).
INVAR MISSILE FEATURES
- Control System: Semi-automatic control system, indicating a degree of human guidance during flight.
- Guidance: Utilizes laser beam riding for guidance, where the missile follows a laser beam emitted by the firing platform.
- Resistance: Jamming immune, implying it is resistant to electronic countermeasures aimed at disrupting its guidance.
- Warhead: Equipped with a tandem warhead, which is designed to defeat ERA and then penetrate the main armour of a tank.
- Target Engagement: Can destroy both stationary and moving targets with speeds up to 70 kmph.
- Effectiveness: Has a high hit and kill probability, indicating its reliability in engaging targets.
SPECIFICATIONS
- Length: 695 mm (missile), 395 mm (throwing device)
- Caliber: 125 mm (matching the bore of the T-90 tank gun)
- Range: 5 km (effective engagement distance)
- Flight time:6 seconds (for maximum range)
- Weight: 17.2 kg (missile), 7.1 kg (throwing device)
Note: Connect with Vajirao & Reddy Institute to keep yourself updated with latest UPSC Current Affairs in English.
Note: We upload Current Affairs Except Sunday.
