The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has successfully completed release trials of its indigenously developed long-range glide bomb (LRGB) “Gaurav” from a Sukhoi Su-30 MKI aircraft, marking a major milestone in India’s defence capabilities.
Conducted between April 8 and April 10, the trials demonstrated the 1,000-kg class glide bomb’s ability to strike targets with pinpoint accuracy from nearly 100 km away. The Ministry of Defence confirmed on Friday that these trials are paving the way for the weapon’s induction into the Indian Air Force (IAF).
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Defence Minister Rajnath Singh congratulated DRDO, IAF, and the involved industry partners, stating, “The development of the long-range glide bomb will further enhance the capabilities of the armed forces to a great extent.”
According to the defence ministry, the weapon was integrated into multiple stations on the Su-30 in varying warhead configurations. “During the trials, the weapon was integrated to multiple stations in different warhead configurations, with land target on island,” the statement added.
‘Gaurav’ was developed by DRDO’s Research Centre Imarat and Armament Research and Development Establishment with support from development-cum-production partners including Adani Defence Systems and Technologies, Bharat Forge, and various MSMEs.
Senior officials from and IAF closely monitored and reviewed the trial process. The certification and quality assurance efforts were led by the Centre for Military Airworthiness and Certification and the Directorate General of Aeronautical Quality Assurance.
With successful trials behind it, ‘Gaurav’ is now on track to become a part of India’s growing arsenal of indigenous precision weapons, significantly strengthening the country’s aerial strike capabilities.