The METIS-M ATGM system is designed to defeat modern armoured targets with improved protection, including those equipped with explosive reactive armour, as well as fortifications and weapon emplacements, and other pinpoint targets.

The system employs missiles with warheads of two types. The first is a tandem hollow-charge warhead designed to destroy modern and future tanks with reactive armour. The second is a fuel-air explosive warhead. It provides blast and incendiary effects comparable to those of large calibre artillery rounds and is capable of destroying light armoured vehicles, fortifications and small-size targets.

The METIS-M missile is roll-stabilized in flight and the tracking flare is mounted eccentrically so that it traces a circle as the missile rolls. The IR tracking system derives deviation from the centre of this circle and steering sense from the movement of the flare. The missile is ejected from its launch container by a booster motor stage, then the main rocket motor ignites. This allows the weapon to be fired from a confined space, though a clear area of at least 2 m behind the launch tube is necessary.