Not every weapon dropped from a fighter aircraft needs an engine to travel long distances. The growing importance of glide bombs is demonstrating how relatively simple technology can transform conventional bombs into precision stand-off weapons.&nbsp;A glide bomb sits between a traditional bomb and a missile. Unlike a cruise missile, it does not require sustained propulsion. Instead, wings, navigation and precision guidance allow it to use the launching aircraft’s altitude and speed to glide towards its target.&nbsp;The advantage is significant. Aircraft can potentially release these weapons from dozens or even more than a hundred kilometres away, reducing their exposure to enemy air defences. Glide bombs can also carry substantial explosive payloads while potentially costing considerably less than sophisticated powered missiles.&nbsp;The Russia-Ukraine war has demonstrated their battlefield value. Russia has extensively used conventional bombs fitted with guidance and wing kits to attack Ukrainian positions, infrastructure and defensive lines from stand-off distances.&nbsp;This creates an uncomfortable equation for air defence. Intercepting large numbers of comparatively inexpensive glide bombs can consume valuable surface-to-air missiles, while allowing them through can cause significant damage. Ukraine has consequently been developing its own glide weapons.India is now expanding its capabilities in this area.&nbsp;The Indian Air Force has successfully drop-tested the indigenous Khagantak-243 from a Su-30MKI fighter. The weapon demonstrated a range exceeding 140 kilometres, while reports suggest a potential maximum range of around 180 kilometres under suitable launch conditions.&nbsp;Khagantak, however, is only part of India’s emerging glide weapon arsenal.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/putin-signals-openness-to-ukraine-deal-thanks-us-and-china-for-peace-efforts-1788433350060">Putin signals openness to Ukraine deal, thanks US and China for peace efforts</a>&nbsp;DRDO’s Gaurav is a much heavier 1,000-kilogram-class long-range glide bomb that has demonstrated a range approaching 100 kilometres during trials.&nbsp;India is also developing TARA, a glide kit intended to transform existing bombs into precision stand-off weapons. The Smart Anti-Airfield Weapon, or SAAW, provides another indigenous stand-off option designed to attack targets including airfield infrastructure.&nbsp;Together, these programmes point towards a broader shift in India’s air-strike capabilities.&nbsp;The future arsenal may not consist only of expensive missiles. It could increasingly include large numbers of cheaper precision weapons capable of being launched from safer distances.&nbsp;Sometimes, giving a bomb wings, guidance and a longer reach may be enough to change the economics of an air war.

India is expanding its indigenous glide weapon capabilities with systems such as Khagantak-243, Gaurav, TARA and SAAW, offering the Indian Air Force precision stand-off strike options without relying solely on expensive powered missiles.

Not every weapon dropped from a fighter aircraft needs an engine to travel long distances. The growing importance of glide bombs is demonstrating how relatively simple technology can transform conventional bombs into precision stand-off weapons. A glide bomb sits between a traditional bomb and a missile. Unlike a cruise missile, it does not require sustained propulsion. Instead, wings, navigation and precision guidance allow it to use the launching aircraft’s altitude and speed to glide towards its target. The advantage is significant. Aircraft can potentially release these weapons from dozens or even more than a hundred kilometres away, reducing their exposure to enemy air defences. Glide bombs can also carry substantial explosive payloads while potentially costing considerably less than sophisticated powered missiles. The Russia-Ukraine war has demonstrated their battlefield value. Russia has extensively used conventional bombs fitted with guidance and wing kits to attack Ukrainian positions, infrastructure and defensive lines from stand-off distances. This creates an uncomfortable equation for air defence. Intercepting large numbers of comparatively inexpensive glide bombs can consume valuable surface-to-air missiles, while allowing them through can cause significant damage. Ukraine has consequently been developing its own glide weapons. India is now expanding its capabilities in this area. The Indian Air Force has successfully drop-tested the indigenous Khagantak-243 from a Su-30MKI fighter. The weapon demonstrated a range exceeding 140 kilometres, while reports suggest a potential maximum range of around 180 kilometres under suitable launch conditions. Khagantak, however, is only part of India’s emerging glide weapon arsenal. Also Read: Putin signals openness to Ukraine deal, thanks US and China for peace efforts DRDO’s Gaurav is a much heavier 1,000-kilogram-class long-range glide bomb that has demonstrated a range approaching 100 kilometres during trials. India is also developing TARA, a glide kit intended to transform existing bombs into precision stand-off weapons. The Smart Anti-Airfield Weapon, or SAAW, provides another indigenous stand-off option designed to attack targets including airfield infrastructure. Together, these programmes point towards a broader shift in India’s air-strike capabilities. The future arsenal may not consist only of expensive missiles. It could increasingly include large numbers of cheaper precision weapons capable of being launched from safer distances. Sometimes, giving a bomb wings, guidance and a longer reach may be enough to change the economics of an air war.

India is expanding its indigenous glide weapon capabilities with systems such as Khagantak-243, Gaurav, TARA and SAAW, offering the Indian Air Force precision stand-off strike options without relying solely on expensive powered missiles.

Bombs with wings: How glide weapons are reshaping air warfare

The allocation in 2025 marked a 9.53 per cent increase over the previous year’s estimate. Over the past few years, India has steadily increased defence spending to modernise its forces and strengthen self-reliance.

The allocation in 2025 marked a 9.53 per cent increase over the previous year’s estimate. Over the past few years, India has steadily increased defence spending to modernise its forces and strengthen self-reliance.

'Rs 6,81,210 crore': Which ministry took biggest slice of Union Budget 2025 and why it matters?| Budget 2026

Displayed at Kartavya Path, the missile reflects a shift in how India presents its strategic capabilities, signalling advances in speed, reach and indigenous defence technology, particularly in the maritime domain.

Displayed at Kartavya Path, the missile reflects a shift in how India presents its strategic capabilities, signalling advances in speed, reach and indigenous defence technology, particularly in the maritime domain.

1,500 kilometres in 15 minutes? India’s anti-ship hypersonic missile to debut at Republic Day parade

As drone swarms proliferate and traditional air defences struggle with cost and response time, militaries are continuously reassessing how threats can be neutralised.

As drone swarms proliferate and traditional air defences struggle with cost and response time, militaries are continuously reassessing how threats can be neutralised.

Why militaries are turning to laser-based directed-energy weapons to counter drone swarms: 5 key advantages

It was designed and developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation with production support from with manufacturing involving entities like Tata Advanced Systems, Solar Industries, Munitions India Limited (MIL), and Economic Explosives Ltd. (EEL). 

It was designed and developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation with production support from with manufacturing involving entities like Tata Advanced Systems, Solar Industries, Munitions India Limited (MIL), and Economic Explosives Ltd. (EEL).&nbsp;

'12 rockets in 44 secs': What makes Pinaka MBRL a game-changer for the Indian Army?

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Bombs with wings: How glide weapons are reshaping air warfare

'Rs 6,81,210 crore': Which ministry took biggest slice of Budget 2025 and why?

1,500 kms in 15 mins? India’s hypersonic missile to debut at Republic Day parade

Why militaries are turning to laser-based DEWs to counter drone swarms

What makes Pinaka MBRL a game-changer for the Indian Army?