The Indian Army has recently upgraded its 9K111M Konkurs-M anti-tank guided missile (ATGM) with Tonbo Imaging’s Sarisa-cooled long wave Infrared (LWIR) thermal imagers, as reported by MilitaryLeak.
The Sarisa thermal imaging camera is designed to detect, recognize, and identify potential threats over long distances, even in challenging conditions such as day, night, and poor weather. It is installed in front of the optical channel of the Konkurs Missile launcher using mounting brackets. The Sarisa camera can lock onto stationary or moving targets before a missile launch. It is a clip-on device with built-in collimated optics, allowing the user to engage targets using the same sight channel as the Konkurs launcher’s direct-view optics. The thermal imager is designed according to MIL-STD-810G and MIL-STD-461F standards.
The 9M113 Konkurs is a wire-guided anti-tank missile that was developed by the Soviet Union. It utilizes a SACLOS (Semi-Automatic Command to Line of Sight) wire guidance system, in which the launcher tracks the position of an infrared bulb on the missile relative to the target. Commands are then transmitted to the missile via a thin wire trailing behind it.
The 9M113 Konkurs Missile can be launched from tracked or wheeled vehicles and shares similarities with the Konkurs-M, with a small bulge distinguishing it at the end of the missile tube. The SACLOS guidance system provides advantages over manual command guidance (MCLOS).
The Konkurs-M system is an upgraded version of the 9M113 Konkurs, developed by the KBP Instrument Design Bureau (formerly TsKB-14) located in Tula, Russia. The 9M113M Konkurs-M features a tandem warhead with an extended explosive probe and was designed to counter explosive reactive armor (ERA) protected targets. It is capable of engaging modern tanks fitted with ERA, as well as light armored vehicles, fortifications, and engineer structures at ranges of 75 to 4,000 meters, day or night.
The Konkurs-M system consists of the 9P135M1 ground launch system (GLS) and the 9M113M missile. Its launcher design allows for installation on various wheeled and tracked platforms.
On February 3, 2022, Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL) and the Indian Army signed a contract worth Rs 3,131.82 crore for the manufacture and supply of Konkurs-M anti-tank guided missiles. The Konkurs-M missiles can be launched from the Indian Army’s BMP-2 amphibious infantry fighting vehicle or from a ground launcher.
BDL manufactures the Konkurs-M under a license agreement with a Russian Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) and has maximized indigenization of the guided missile. BDL also offers the Konkurs-M missile for export to friendly foreign countries. The company is focused on the indigenization of its products through technology transfer agreements with foreign OEMs.