Indian Air Force (IAF) has successfully conducted the first flight trial of the indigenously designed and developed Khagantak-243 Long Range Glide Bomb (LRGB) at Pokhran Field Firing Range in Rajasthan. The trial marks an important step in strengthening India’s indigenous precision-strike capabilities and the role of private defence companies.
Key Features of Khagantak-243
The “243” refers to the bomb’s configuration class. The wider Khagantak family is also reported to include heavier variants such as Khagantak-306 and Khagantak-225, offering different payload and strike-range options.
- Aircraft used: Su-30MKI fighter aircraft
- Trial location: Pokhran Field Firing Range, Rajasthan
- Operational range: 144–180 km when released from about 12 km altitude at Mach 0.8
- Warhead: 125 kg Mk-81 general-purpose blast-fragmentation warhead
- Its long range allows fighter aircraft to engage targets deep inside hostile territory while remaining outside enemy air-defence zones.
- Design: Cylindrical body with swivel-type mid-body glide wings and five aft control surfaces
- Glide ratio: More than 12
Indigenous Development
- The weapon has been developed by Nagpur-based start-up JSR Dynamics Pvt Ltd in collaboration with Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL).
- Its development follows Development-cum-Production Partner model, reflecting increasing participation of India’s private defence industry in indigenous weapon development.
- The IAF has already placed a limited series production contract with BEL for Khagantak-243.
Khagantak-243 and DRDO’s Gaurav
The Khagantak-243 adds to India’s growing range of long-range glide weapons. The DRDO’s 1,000 kg Gaurav Long Range Glide Bomb also underwent trials in April 2025.
Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO)
- It is the research and development arm of the Ministry of Defence, Government of India.
- Established: 1958
- Foundation Day: 1 January
- Formation: Created by merging the Technical Development Establishments (TDEs) of the Indian Army, the Directorate of Technical Development and Production (DTDP) and the Defence Science Organisation (DSO)
- Motto: “Balasya Mulam Vigyanam”– Strength lies in science