On January 13, 2025, the Indian Ministry of Defence (MoD) confirmed the successful completion of field evaluation trials of the Nag Mk 2, an indigenously developed third-generation anti-tank fire-and-forget guided missile, conducted at the Pokhran Field Range in Rajasthan. These trials demonstrated the missile’s ability to destroy all targets at both maximum and minimum range limits over three test launches. The trials also included the evaluation of the Nag Missile Carrier (NAMICA) version-2, a modified BMP-2 Sarath platform, completing the system’s testing and confirming its readiness for induction into the Indian Army.
Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh acknowledged the successful trials and noted the contributions of the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), the Indian Army, and industry stakeholders in achieving this milestone. Secretary of Defence R&D and DRDO Chairman, Dr. Samir V Kamat, emphasized the collaborative efforts that enabled the Nag Mk 2 and NAMICA version-2 to reach operational readiness. These systems, developed by DRDO and manufactured by Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL), are expected to enhance the Indian Army’s anti-tank warfare capabilities.
The Nag missile program began in 1988 under India’s Integrated Guided Missile Development Program (IGMDP). Designed to address the need for a domestically-produced anti-tank guided missile, the Nag was initially tested in 1990. Development was delayed due to challenges with the missile’s imaging infrared (IIR) guidance system, which struggled to distinguish targets under high-temperature conditions. These issues were resolved through modifications and further testing, culminating in the missile’s clearance for production in 2019. The Nag family includes several variants, each tailored to specific operational requirements.