The Indian Air Force (IAF) is integrating indigenous Khagantak-225 Glide Bomb with the Su-30MKI fighter aircraft. This marks a major step toward self-reliance in defense technology and enhancing India’s precision strike capabilities.
About Khagantak-225 Glide Bomb
| Feature | Details |
| Type | Precision-guided, long-range stand-off glide bomb |
| Weight | 243 kg (with a 108 kg blast-fragmentation warhead) |
| Range | Up to 180 km when launched from Su-30MKI at 12 km altitude and Mach 0.8 |
| Guidance System | Hybrid: INS + GPS for mid-course navigation + Mid-Wave Infrared (MWIR) seeker for terminal guidance |
| Special Features | AI-enabled seeker for autonomous target recognition, low radar cross-section (RCS) for stealth, high glide ratio (12+), excellent aerodynamic performance |
Importance:
- It is first indigenous glide bomb developed by the private sector in India.
- It supports Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiative and reflects successful public-private defense collaboration.
Operational Advantage:
- It allows IAF to strike deep targets while staying beyond enemy air defense zones
- It is capable of engaging fortified structures, command posts, and high-value targets
- Enhanced survivability and effectiveness in GPS-denied and asymmetric warfare environments
Strategic Context:
India’s Khagantak-225 (range 180 km) offers superior strategic reach and parity
Counters regional threats:
- China’s LS/FT glide bombs (range ~90 km)
- Pakistan’s H4 glide bomb (range ~120 km)
Development and Collaboration:
| Organization | Role |
| JSR Dynamics (Nagpur-based startup) | Developed bomb body, control system, AI-seeker, and guidance architecture |
| Bharat Electronics Ltd. (BEL) | Supplied key electronics and terminal seeker system |
IAF Procurement:
- IAF awarded BEL a contract for limited induction of Khagantak-243 bombs
- Highlights IAF’s trust in indigenous solutions and efforts to cut foreign imports
About JSR Dynamics Pvt. Ltd.:
- Established: 2018, Nagpur
- Specializes in precision-guided munitions
- Emerging leader in indigenous defense innovation
- Key player under India’s defense startup ecosystem
About Su-30MKI Fighter Jet:
Su-30MKI serves as an ideal platform for deploying stand-off munitions like Khagantak-225.
| Feature | Specification |
| Type | Twinjet, multirole, air superiority fighter |
| Origin | Developed by Sukhoi (Russia), licensed production by HAL (India) |
| Capabilities | All-weather, long-range, heavy-payload carrying fighter |
| NATO Code | Flanker-H |