Gaurav’s Triumph on the Su-30MKI : A glide bomb reshaping India’s edge over China and Pakistan

In a major boost to India’s indigenous defence capabilities, the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has successfully completed the testing of the long-range glide bomb ‘Gaurav’ between April 8 and 10, 2025. The weapon was released from a Sukhoi Su-30 MKI fighter jet of the Indian Air Force and struck its target with precision at a range of nearly 100 kilometres. These trials, held at the Integrated Test Range off the coast of Odisha, mark a significant step forward in India’s pursuit of long-range precision strike weapons that can be launched from a safe distance.

The Gaurav bomb belongs to a category of smart munitions known as glide bombs. Unlike conventional bombs that fall vertically after release, glide bombs are equipped with fins or wings that allow them to glide forward through the air toward their target. Importantly, a glide bomb does not have an engine. Instead, it relies on the momentum from being dropped from a high-flying aircraft and uses aerodynamic surfaces to cover long distances. This enables the launching aircraft to stay away from the enemy’s radar and air defence systems, thereby reducing risk to pilots while still achieving accurate strikes.

Gaurav is a 1,000-kg class bomb equipped with a dual guidance system that combines an Inertial Navigation System (INS) with satellite-based GPS. This allows the bomb to remain accurate even in challenging environments or during electronic interference. When launched from high altitudes—typically over 40,000 feet—the Gaurav can glide to a range of over 100 kilometres. This capability makes it a valuable stand-off weapon, meaning it can hit targets from a distance without the aircraft needing to enter hostile airspace.

Developed by DRDO’s Research Centre Imarat (RCI) in Hyderabad, the Gaurav project involved active collaboration with Indian private sector partners such as Adani Defence Systems & Technologies, Bharat Forge, and several Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs). These partnerships reflect India’s growing emphasis on public-private collaboration in the defence sector, aligned with the national goal of achieving self-reliance through the ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’ initiative. Contributions from certification and quality assurance bodies such as the Centre for Military Airworthiness & Certification and the Directorate General of Aeronautical Quality Assurance ensured that the system met all safety and performance standards.

The successful trials drew praise from top defence officials. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh congratulated DRDO, the Indian Air Force, and all industry partners, noting that the Gaurav bomb would significantly enhance the operational capabilities of the armed forces. DRDO Chairman Dr. Samir V Kamat also lauded the achievement, calling it a crucial milestone in India’s ongoing effort to indigenise its strategic military systems.

India’s development of the Gaurav glide bomb comes amid increasing competition in precision-guided munitions within the region. China has already fielded systems like the LS and FT series of glide bombs, which are also guided by satellite and inertial navigation and have ranges in the 90-kilometre class. The FT-2, for example, uses a similar wing-based gliding approach to extend its range. Additionally, China’s Tianlei 500 is designed to disperse submunitions and likely uses GPS or Beidou-based navigation, though full details remain limited in public sources.

Pakistan, too, has focused on developing stand-off precision strike options. Its H4 glide bomb, reportedly developed with assistance from South Africa, has a range of about 120 kilometres and uses electro-optical guidance. The newer Takbir glide bomb is a 250-kg class weapon that can be launched from Mirage or JF-17 fighter jets and likely uses GPS/INS navigation. These developments by China and Pakistan highlight the importance of India building its own advanced weapons systems to ensure technological parity and strategic deterrence.

What sets Gaurav apart is not just its range or accuracy, but the fact that it is entirely developed within India with significant contributions from domestic industry. At a time when air defence systems across the world are becoming more advanced and harder to penetrate, having stand-off weapons like the Gaurav gives the Indian Air Force a critical edge. It allows India to engage targets deep inside enemy territory while keeping its pilots safe, and without depending on imported systems.

The success of the Gaurav glide bomb is more than a technological achievement—it is a symbol of India’s growing confidence in designing and delivering high-end defence solutions using its own talent and industry. As regional tensions remain high and military technologies evolve rapidly, weapons like Gaurav will play a vital role in safeguarding India’s security while advancing the country’s goal of strategic self-reliance.

–E.O.M

(The author Girish Linganna of this article is an award-winning Science Writer and a Defence, Aerospace & Political Analyst based in Bengaluru. He is also Director of ADD Engineering Components, India, Pvt. Ltd, a subsidiary of ADD Engineering GmbH, Germany. You can reach him, at: girishlinganna@gmail.com)

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