India-Pak conflict: How anti-tank guided missiles are shaping ground combat

Modern ATGMs can be launched from vehicles, drones, or shoulder-fired, offering long-range precision and top-attack capability for high-impact tank and armour neutralisation

Anti-Tank Guided Missiles (ATGMs) are precision weapons built to destroy heavily armoured targets such as battle tanks. Their long-range capability allows troops to strike without exposing themselves to direct fire.

 

Modern ATGMs can be launched from a variety of platforms:

 

• Shoulder-fired by infantry
• Mounted on tripods or vehicles
• Launched from helicopters or drones
• Over 130 countries currently operate ATGMs, and they’ve seen extensive use in conflicts like the Russia-Ukraine war.

 

How ATGMs pierce armour: The technology behind the strike

 

ATGMs use shaped-charge warheads that focus explosive energy in a single direction to penetrate thick armour. More advanced systems feature tandem warheads:

 

 

• The first charge defeats Explosive Reactive Armour (ERA)
• The second charge penetrates the main armour underneath

 

Many systems also offer top-attack mode, where missiles strike the turret roof—typically the weakest part of a tank.

 

Why modern ATGMs are so deadly in warfare

 

Contemporary ATGMs combine four major battlefield advantages:

 

• Extended range: Over 2.5 km for systems like Javelin or Spike
• High precision: Advanced seekers target weak spots
• Portability: Lightweight, quick deployment by troops
• Top-down strikes: Designed to bypass front-facing armour

 

Can tanks survive an ATGM hit? It depends on the defences

 

Tanks today deploy multiple defensive technologies, including:

 

• ERA (Explosive Reactive Armour): Plates that explode to neutralise shaped charges
• Slat or cage armour: Metal grilles that cause premature detonation
• Smoke screens and evasive manoeuvres: To evade targeting
• Electronic jamming and decoys: To mislead incoming missiles
• APS (Active Protection Systems): Like Israel’s Trophy or Russia’s Afghanit, which track and destroy incoming missiles mid-air

 

Though no tank is invincible, these layers drastically improve survivability.

 

Why ATGMs are critical in India’s ground warfare strategy

 

ATGMs are cost-effective, easy to deploy, and high-impact tools for infantry. They:

 

• Enable foot soldiers to take down tanks
• Reduce the need for artillery or air support
• Are ideal for both conventional and asymmetric warfare

 

As such, India is increasing investments not only in ATGM tech, but also in countermeasures and training for troops.

 

Global combat use: Where ATGMs have made a battlefield impact

 

ATGMs have played key roles in modern military conflicts, including:

 

• Ukraine: Javelins and NLAWs helped halt Russian tank advances
• Syria and Iraq: Rebel groups and non-state actors used ATGMs effectively against mechanised forces

As tanks evolve, so do missiles—keeping the tank-vs-missile arms race alive.