As India demanded new tests for Israeli made anti-tank missile ‘Spike’, the Indian Army has requested to procure second-generation missiles, Milan 2T. Moreover, the army has been forced to request for these French missiles, as Defence Research and Development Organisation’s (DRDO) Nag missile is still under trials. The Milan 2T is an advanced version of MILAN missiles which were first produced in 1972. Army Day 2019: General Bipin Rawat Addresses Nation of The Eve of 71 Raising Day of Indian Army, Says ‘Armed Forces Are Capable Repulsing Foreign Aggression’.

MILAN 2T was developed in 1993 to counter ‘reactive armour’. The Defence Acquisition Council (DAC), headed by Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, and including the three service chiefs will look at the request to procure 5,000 MILAN 2T missiles on January 31. The process to purchase these missiles will be simpler as Trials would not be necessary as it is a repeat order. India tests NAG 190, $500 Million Spike Missile deal in jeopardy.

India used MILAN missiles in the Kargil War of 1999 to destroy the bunkers built by Pakistani soldiers in the mountains. MILAN is a wire-guided missile. The purchase of MILAN 2T missiles will also fulfil the immediate need of anti-tank missiles and these missiles could also serve for another decade. It has a range of over 2 kilometres. India taking a step forward in terms missile technology, Test fires BrahMos.

As per some reports, if the DAC approves the request, then these missiles will be license-produced by the Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL) in partnership with a French firm. Currently, the Indian Army has a requirement of 70,000 anti-tank guided missiles and 850 launchers.