Beyond BrahMos: India builds next generation of cheap precision weapons

The ongoing conflicts in Ukraine and West Asia have demonstrated the need for deep stocks of precision weapons. The sophistication of these advanced systems is directly reflected in their cost. Militaries are increasingly adopting precision-guided weapons because of their ability to engage targets from stand-off ranges with high accuracy.India's use of BrahMos and SCALP cruise missiles to strike targets across Pakistan is a good example of this capability. However, this effectiveness comes at a literal price.As conflicts, as seen in Ukraine and West Asia, are now measured in months and years rather than days or weeks, sustained use of such expensive weapons becomes increasingly prohibitive. One answer to this challenge is the use of comparatively inexpensive munitions such as glide bombs. Some of these weapons are now being fitted with small turbine engines to extend their range even further.India is adapting to this trend, with the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) planning to integrate a small turbine engine with an indigenous glide bomb. Among the most notable efforts is the addition of a small turbine to the Smart Anti-Airfield Weapon (SAAW), a precision-guided glide bomb that already boasts a range of 100 kilometres. The powered version is expected to double the weapon's range. Manufactured by Bharat Dynamics Limited, the SAAW is designed to neutralise enemy airfields and critical infrastructure while minimising risk to aircraft and crew.Complementing this is the Gaurav family of glide bombs, being developed in 500 kg and 1,000 kg variants, each with an advertised range of 100 kilometres. The effective range of a glide bomb depends on the speed and altitude from which it is released. These weapons will enable the Indian Air Force to strike deep inside hostile territory without exposing aircraft to advanced air defence networks—and without incurring the cost of an expensive cruise missile.Additionally, the Tactical Advanced Range Augmentation (TARA) guidance kit has been developed to extend the range of conventional dumb bombs to 30 kilometres, transforming them into low-cost precision weapons. Indian private industry is also entering the fray, with JSR Dynamics developing a glide bomb with an advertised range of up to 120 kilometres.The United States has already moved ahead in this direction, with Boeing cleared to produce the Joint Direct Attack Munition-Long Range (JDAM-LR) for the US Navy. Essentially a small cruise missile derived from the JDAM family of precision-guided bombs, the JDAM-LR offers a cost-effective stand-off strike capability. Successful test launches from F/A-18E/F Super Hornets earlier this year have validated the concept. The $75 million contract awarded to Boeing reflects the urgency with which militaries are seeking to expand their stocks of affordable precision-guided munitions.These developments are important in bridging a critical capability gap. By investing in low-cost precision weapons, India is ensuring that its air force remains equipped with scalable, effective and survivable strike options, even as militaries around the world pivot in the same direction.