India has achieved another major milestone in strengthening its indigenous defence capabilities with the successful first test of the domestically developed ‘Khagantak-243’ long-range glide bomb. The weapon reportedly struck a designated target with precision during a test conducted over a desert region, resulting in a powerful explosion. Weighing around 300 kg, Khagantak-243 is a stand-off precision weapon equipped with a 125-kg Mk-81 warhead. When released from a higher altitude, it is designed to cover a range of more than 140 km. Its INS and GNSS-based navigation systems are intended to enable highly accurate targeting, with an accuracy reportedly within 10 metres.
The weapon was tested using an Indian Air Force Su-30MKI fighter jet. Its long-range capability could allow combat aircraft to engage targets from a safer distance, reducing the need to penetrate heavily defended enemy airspace. The glide bomb has been developed by Nagpur-based JSR Dynamics in collaboration with Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL). The successful test marks a significant step toward enhancing India’s indigenous precision-strike capabilities and supporting the country’s broader push for self-reliance in defence technology.
