India's homegrown 'Gaurav' glide bomb achieves precision strike 100 km away
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In a significant achievement for India's defense capabilities, the homegrown long-range glide bomb 'Gaurav' successfully hit a target more than 100 km away, paving the way for its serial production.
Developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) in collaboration with partners like Adani Defence and Aerospace, this advanced stand-off glide bomb could be a transformative addition to the Indian Air Force's (IAF) arsenal.
During the recent trials, the 'Gaurav' bomb was deployed from a Sukhoi-30MKI fighter jet. Weighing 1 tonne, it can be equipped with various types of warheads, making it versatile for different combat scenarios. Despite lacking a motor for powered flight, the bomb achieved pinpoint accuracy, relying on aerodynamics, winglets, and inertial navigation systems.
The success of 'Gaurav' highlights its potential for missions similar to the 2019 airstrike on a terror camp in Balakot, Pakistan, where the IAF used Israeli SPICE glide bombs. The Indian-made bomb is capable of penetrating hardened structures and striking a range of targets, utilizing a combination of global positioning system (GPS) and inertial navigation, with the navigation components developed by the DRDO.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh lauded the DRDO, the IAF, and the industry for this achievement, calling it a major milestone in India's pursuit of indigenous defense technologies. Samir V. Kamat, Chairman of DRDO and Secretary of the Department of Defence (Research and Development), also congratulated the team for the successful trial, underscoring the significance of this development in bolstering the armed forces' capabilities.