DRDO Successfully Conducts Release Trials of Indigenous Long-Range Glide Bomb ‘Gaurav’

New Delhi: To boost to India’s indigenous defence capabilities, the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has successfully conducted the Release Trials of the Long-Range Glide Bomb (LRGB) ‘Gaurav’ from April 8 to 10, 2025. The trials were carried out using the Su-30 MKI fighter aircraft, marking a key milestone in the development of precision-guided munitions.

During the three-day trials, the LRGB ‘Gaurav’ was integrated into multiple weapon stations of the aircraft in different warhead configurations. The bomb was tested against land-based targets on an island and demonstrated pin-point accuracy with an effective range of nearly 100 kilometres, reaffirming its long-range strike capability.

The 1,000 kg-class glide bomb, developed indigenously by DRDO’s Research Centre Imarat (RCI), Armament Research and Development Establishment (ARDE), and Integrated Test Range (ITR), Chandipur, reflects India’s growing strength in advanced weapons technology.

The successful tests were witnessed and reviewed by senior officials from DRDO and the Indian Air Force (IAF), signaling the weapon’s progress toward final induction into the IAF’s arsenal.

The development of ‘Gaurav’ has been made possible through collaboration with Development-cum-Production Partners including Adani Defence Systems & Technologies, Bharat Forge, and several Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs). The Centre for Military Airworthiness & Certification (CEMILAC) and the Directorate General of Aeronautical Quality Assurance (DGAQA) played a vital role in certification and ensuring the system meets stringent quality standards.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh lauded the achievement, stating that the successful trials of ‘Gaurav’ will significantly enhance the operational capabilities of the Indian Armed Forces. He congratulated DRDO, the IAF, and the industry partners for their collaborative efforts in realising this state-of-the-art weapon system.

Dr Samir V Kamat, Secretary of the Department of Defence R&D and Chairman of DRDO, also extended his congratulations to the teams involved and acknowledged the success of the trials as a major step forward in India’s journey toward self-reliance in defence technology.