IAF To Get New 120-Kg Smart Bomb With 100-Km Range For Long-Range Stand-Off Strikes
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The IAF's push to integrate long-range stand-off missiles and bombs marks a major shift in strategy, aiming to boost precision strike capability and overall combat effectiveness
In a major boost to its aerial strike capabilities, the Indian Air Force is preparing to equip its fighter jets with the indigenously developed Smart Anti-Airfield Weapon (SAAW). Likely to be integrated into platforms like the Sukhoi-30 MKI, the precision-guided weapon marks a significant advancement in India's defence technology.
Defence sources reveal that the SAAW is a type of glide bomb guided by satellite, capable of striking targets up to 100 kilometres away with remarkable precision. This capability allows for the destruction of specific targets from a considerable distance, thus bolstering the effectiveness of air strikes.
The Ministry of Defence is expected to review the induction of this weapon into the Air Force shortly. If approved, it would provide India with a formidable edge in aerial combat.
Experts assert that such modern weaponry will substantially strengthen India's defence infrastructure, potentially causing concern among neighbouring countries like Pakistan and China.
What Is SAAW?
The SAAW, developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) in Hyderabad, is a state-of-the-art, high-precision bomb weighing around 120 kg. Its design focuses on incapacitating crucial components of enemy airbases, such as radars, bunkers, taxi tracks and runways. In essence, it can neutralise enemy airfields without necessitating the deployment of fighter jets into hostile territory.
As a stand-off weapon, it can be launched from a distance while still maintaining accurate targeting, similar to the weapons used in India's 2019 Balakot airstrike.
The focus on integrating long-range stand-off weapon systems, including specialised missiles and bombs, reflects the Indian Air Force's strategic shift towards advanced combat capabilities.
The demand for such sophisticated weaponry has surged following the success of Operation Sindoor, where the Indian Army targeted terrorist bases in Pakistan. The SAAW, one of DRDO's most successful projects, is poised to play a crucial role in augmenting India's military prowess.
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