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Time of India
16 hours ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Hypersonic missiles, next-gen BrahMos, new air defence: DRDO chief reveals long list of India's future-ready weapons
India is advancing a wide range of indigenous defence technologies including hypersonic missiles , long-range air defence systems, and next-generation fighter aircraft, according to Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) Chairman Dr. Samir V. Kamat. In an interview to NDTV, Dr. Kamat outlined DRDO 's current and future projects that aim to enhance India's strategic deterrence and battlefield capabilities across air, land, and sea. BrahMos and its smaller successor A key focus area is the BrahMos missile , co-developed with Russia and currently launched from Su-30MKI fighter jets. To increase deployment flexibility, DRDO is working on BrahMos-NG, a next-generation variant designed to fit into more fighter platforms. BrahMos-NG is lighter and smaller, allowing wider deployment across India's air fleet. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Air conditioners without external unit. (click to see prices) Air Condition | Search Ads Search Now Undo India's hypersonic weapons programme India is also developing two types of hypersonic weapons — a cruise missile and a glide vehicle. The glide vehicle project is at a more advanced stage. Dr. Kamat said, 'We should be able to complete developmental trials in two to three years and then we can go for induction.' For the hypersonic cruise missile, scramjet propulsion has already been successfully tested for 1,000 seconds. Full-scale development awaits government approval. Once cleared, it may take five to seven years to reach operational status. Live Events Air-to-air and air-to-ground missile upgrades DRDO is extending its missile capabilities with new variants of the Astra air-to-air missile. The existing Mk-1 is in service, while Mk-2 and Mk-3 with longer range are under development. Meanwhile, the Rudram series of air-to-ground missiles is being upgraded. Rudram-2, Rudram-3, and Rudram-4 are in different stages of development. Surface-to-air defence and anti-drone technologies Under the Kusha programme, India is developing long-range surface-to-air missiles to match capabilities like the Russian S-400. The system is internally known as 'Sudarshan Chakra'. In parallel, DRDO is also developing directed energy weapons including high-powered lasers and microwave systems to neutralise drones and other aerial threats. Mobile artillery and light tanks India's indigenously developed Advanced Towed Artillery Gun System (ATAGS) is being adapted into a mobile version. Last year, the government approved a proposal for 814 truck-mounted, self-propelled 155mm gun systems costing around ₹15,000 crore. Apart from defence PSUs, private firms like Tata, L&T, Bharat Forge , and Mahindra Defence have been approached for participation. Dr. Kamat also shared details about the light tank project named Zorawar. Built with L&T for high-altitude deployment along the border with China, the 25-tonne tank is expected to see 354 units inducted by the Indian Army. Naval weapons nearing induction For the Indian Navy, DRDO is developing torpedoes, naval mines, and other undersea warfare technologies. Dr. Kamat said many of these systems are 'close to induction,' signalling near-term deployment of several indigenous maritime platforms. Fifth-generation fighter response to China-Pakistan axis Dr. Kamat commented on reports that Pakistan may receive 40 J-35 stealth aircraft from China by next year. India's response is the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft ( AMCA ), which received formal sanction in 2024. In a previous interview, Dr. Kamat said, 'The AMCA will take 10 years to complete and would be ready by 2035.' According to an Economic Times report, the Indian Air Force is expected to procure six squadrons — around 120 aircraft. Unlike the Tejas programme where HAL led manufacturing, AMCA will follow a new production model. The government has issued an expression of interest to bring in either HAL, a private firm, or a public-private joint venture as the lead production partner. Lessons from recent operations Dr. Kamat stressed the need for future weapons to operate without external support. Citing lessons from Operation Sindoor, he said, 'All weapons must function without GPS or communication,' highlighting DRDO's focus on autonomous systems that can work in electronically denied environments. India's defence strategy is moving towards greater self-reliance and operational flexibility through indigenous technologies. The DRDO's ongoing work across multiple platforms reflects a long-term commitment to building modern, multi-domain defence capabilities.
India Today
3 days ago
- Business
- India Today
Air Force eyes smart anti-airfield weapons to strike targets over 100 km
The Indian Air Force is planning to equip its fighter jet fleet with indigenous Smart Anti Airfield Weapons (SAAW) to enhance its long-range strike to hit targets over 100 kilometres away, the SAAW missiles are expected to play a crucial role in future conflicts. The proposal to acquire the missiles will soon be taken up for discussion in the Defence Ministry, defence sources by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), the SAAW is a 120 kg class precision-guided bomb capable of engaging ground-based enemy assets such as radars, bunkers, taxiways, and runways. The weapon system has been developed by DRDO's Research Centre Imarat (RCI), Hyderabad. Its light weight and high accuracy make it a potent standoff strike system, allowing the launching aircraft to remain out of enemy air defence missiles are set to be integrated across the Indian Air Force's fighter fleet, including the Su-30 MKI and Jaguar aircraft. The acquisition gains significance against the backdrop of recent hostilities with Pakistan and China. Officials said the weapon system is similar in operational concept to those used during the Balakot air strikes on Pakistani terror proposal also comes at a time when the Indian armed forces are increasingly focused on enhancing their long-range strike capabilities. This focus was recently evident in Operation Sindoor, where standoff weapons were successfully deployed against Pakistani military and terror DRDO, which counts SAAW among its major successful projects, has also offered the missiles under the emergency procurement route to enable faster induction and boost frontline capabilities in view of potential future threats.
India Gazette
3 days ago
- Politics
- India Gazette
Indian Air Force to get advanced indigenous smart anti-airfield weapon for fighter jet fleet
New Delhi [India], June 17 (ANI): In what would be a big success for indigenous weapon systems, the Indian Air Force is looking to acquire an advanced version of the Indigenous Smart Anti-Airfield Weapon, which would be fitted on almost the entire fighter jet fleet of the force, including the Su-30 MKI. A proposal from the Indian Air Force to get the satellite-guided version of the SAAW air launched glide bomb is expected to be discussed by the Defence Ministry soon. This would be able to hit targets with accuracy at 100 Km strike range, defence sources told ANI. SAAW, an indigenously designed and developed 120 kg class smart weapon developed by DRDO, is capable of engaging ground targets with high precision up to a range of 100 kms. The lightweight high precision guided bomb is one of the world-class weapons systems. SAAW is indigenously designed and developed by DRDO's Research Centre Imarat (RCI), Hyderabad has been developed with an aim of engaging ground enemy airfield assets such as radars, bunkers, taxi tracks, and runways etc. The stand off weapon is similar to the stand off weapons used in the Balakot air strikes on targets in Pakistan. The proposal is coming up for discussion at a time when the Indian forces are looking for long range stand off weapon systems and have tasted success in a big way during Operation Sindoor against Pakistani terror and military targets. The SAAW is one of the successful projects carried out by the DRDO. The DRDO has also offered the SAAW missiles to the defence forces under the emergency procurement process to equip the forces rapidly for future conflicts. The Indian Air Force is looking to equip itself with multiple long-range weapon systems, including missiles and other systems. (ANI)
Time of India
3 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Indian Air Force to get advanced indigenous smart anti-airfield weapon for fighter jet fleet
The Indian Air Force plans to acquire an advanced, satellite-guided version of the Indigenous Smart Anti-Airfield Weapon (SAAW) for its fighter jet fleet, including the Su-30 MKI. Developed by DRDO, this 120 kg class smart weapon can precisely strike ground targets up to 100 km away. Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads In what would be a big success for indigenous weapon systems, the Indian Air Force is looking to acquire an advanced version of the Indigenous Smart Anti-Airfield Weapon , which would be fitted on almost the entire fighter jet fleet of the force, including the Su-30 MKI.A proposal from the Indian Air Force to get the satellite-guided version of the SAAW air launched glide bomb is expected to be discussed by the Defence Ministry soon. This would be able to hit targets with accuracy at 100 Km strike range, defence sources told an indigenously designed and developed 120 kg class smart weapon developed by DRDO , is capable of engaging ground targets with high precision up to a range of 100 kms. The lightweight high precision guided bomb is one of the world-class weapons is indigenously designed and developed by DRDO's Research Centre Imarat (RCI), Hyderabad has been developed with an aim of engaging ground enemy airfield assets such as radars, bunkers, taxi tracks, and runways stand off weapon is similar to the stand off weapons used in the Balakot air strikes on targets in proposal is coming up for discussion at a time when the Indian forces are looking for long range stand off weapon systems and have tasted success in a big way during Operation Sindoor against Pakistterror and military SAAW is one of the successful projects carried out by the DRDO has also offered the SAAW missiles to the defence forces under the emergency procurement process to equip the forces rapidly for future Indian Air Force is looking to equip itself with multiple long-range weapon systems, including missiles and other systems.
India.com
13-06-2025
- India.com
Runway Eraser: How India's SAAW Can Cripple Pakistani Airbases With 100-Km Strike Range, Pinpoint Accuracy
photoDetails english 2915699 Updated:Jun 13, 2025, 10:57 PM IST What is SAAW? 1 / 7 SAAW is a 125-kg class long-range, stand-off, air-to-surface weapon capable of neutralizing enemy runways, bunkers, and radars from a safe distance of up to 100 km. Developed by DRDO's Research Centre Imarat, it combines lightweight design with heavy-hitting capability—an ideal blend for modern aerial warfare. The high precision guided bomb is light weight as compared to weapon system of the same class. The weapon was earlier successfully test fired from Jaguar aircraft. Impressive Specs 2 / 7 With a compact length of just 1.85 metres, SAAW delivers impressive performance. It features inertial navigation (INS) coupled with GPS guidance for high accuracy—striking targets within 7 metres, and even better (<3m) with seeker-based guidance. Its standoff range and precision reduce the risk to launch platforms while maximizing mission effectiveness. Multi-Platform Launch 3 / 7 Initially tested with Jaguar and Su-30MKI aircraft, the SAAW's compatibility was further extended to HAL's indigenously upgraded Hawk-i trainer jet. In 2021, a milestone was achieved when SAAW was successfully test-fired from the Hawk-i off the Odisha coast, marking the first smart weapon launch from an Indian Hawk-Mk132 platform. (Pic: X/@VivekSi85847001) Eight-for-Eight 4 / 7 The SAAW underwent rigorous developmental trials, with eight successful test firings completed by August 2018. Conducted at the Chandan range, the weapon was validated under three different scenarios using live warheads—demonstrating its reliability and consistency across varying conditions. (Pic: X/@ReviewVayu) Seeker-Equipped Evolution 5 / 7 To further boost strike accuracy and expand mission profiles, DRDO has developed a seeker-equipped variant of the SAAW. This advanced version offers terminal guidance using Electro-Optical or Imaging Infrared technology, allowing precision attacks on even mobile or partially obscured targets. (Pic: X/@Amitraaz) Strategic Edge 6 / 7 SAAW adds a crucial edge to the Indian Air Force's capability to strike hardened airfield assets deep inside hostile territory like that of Pakistan and China —without crossing borders. Its indigenous development aligns with the 'Aatmanirbhar Bharat' initiative, strengthening India's strategic autonomy and modern warfare readiness. 7 / 7
