{
  "id": 261988,
  "title": "Beyond BrahMos: India builds next generation of cheap precision weapons",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/07/beyond-brahmos-india-builds-next-generation-of-cheap-precision-weapons",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-08-07T11:21:53.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Times of India",
    "slug": "times-of-india",
    "url": "https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/defence/news/beyond-brahmos-india-builds-next-generation-of-cheap-precision-weapons/articleshow/133032306.cms"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "India is developing a new generation of cheap precision weapons to address the rising costs of sophisticated systems amid ongoing conflicts. The country's adoption of BrahMos and SCALP cruise missiles highlights their effectiveness, but the high price tag makes sustained use costly. To mitigate this, India is turning to less expensive glide bombs, some of which now feature small turbine engines to extend their range. The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) is working on integrating a turbine engine into the Smart Anti-Airfield Weapon (SAAW), a 100-kilometer range glide bomb. The SAAW's powered variant aims to double its range. India is also developing the Gaurav family of glide bombs, including 500 kg and 1,000 kg variants with a 100-kilometer range. The Tactical Advanced Range Augmentation (TARA) kit will extend the range of conventional dumb bombs to 30 kilometers, turning them into affordable precision weapons. JSR Dynamics, a private Indian company, is developing a glide bomb with a range of up to 120 kilometers. While the United States has already produced the Joint Direct Attack Munition-Long Range (JDAM-LR) for its Navy, India's efforts in this area mirror a global trend towards more cost-effective precision weaponry.",
  "summary": "India is developing a new generation of cost-effective precision weapons to address the rising costs of advanced systems and the evolving nature of modern conflicts. The ongoing conflicts in Ukraine and West Asia have highlighted the need for deep stocks of precision weapons, as their sophisticated nature comes at a high price. To address this, India is turning to more affordable munitions, such as glide bombs, which are being fitted with small turbine engines to extend their range. The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) is planning to integrate a small turbine engine with the Smart Anti-Airfield Weapon (SAAW), a precision-guided glide bomb with a range of 100 kilometres, effectively doubling its range. Additionally, the Gaurav family of glide bombs, including 500 kg and 1,000 kg variants, each with a 100-kilometre range, will enable the Indian Air Force to strike deep into hostile territory without exposing aircraft to advanced air defence networks. 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. Private Indian industry is also contributing to this trend, with JSR Dynamics developing a glide bomb with an advertised range of up to 120 kilometres. These developments aim to bridge a critical capability gap and ensure that India's air force remains equipped with scalable, effective, and survivable strike options.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}