Odisha: DRDO and the Indian Air Force successfully conducted the maiden flight-trial of the TARA weapon system off the Odisha coast on May 7, marking a major boost to India’s indigenous defence capability.
The Tactical Advanced Range Augmentation system became India’s first indigenous glide weapon platform that converts unguided warheads into precision-guided weapons.
Research Centre Imarat in Hyderabad developed the system along with other DRDO laboratories to improve the lethality and accuracy of low-cost weapons used against ground-based targets.
Moreover, DRDO officials said the indigenous glide platform uses advanced low-cost technology for precision targeting and range enhancement. They added that the system would strengthen operational effectiveness during combat missions.
Indian industries and Development-cum-Production Partners supported the programme from the development stage itself. Officials also confirmed that production activities for the indigenous system had already started.
Raksha Mantri Rajnath Singh congratulated DRDO, the Indian Air Force and industry partners for the successful maiden trial. He described the achievement as a major step in strengthening India’s indigenous defence systems.
TARA weapon strengthens indigenous defence systems
DRDO officials said the TARA weapon would improve targeting accuracy while extending the strike range of conventional warheads. In addition, the system would help the armed forces reduce dependence on imported precision-guided weapons.
Officials further stated that the indigenous glide weapon would support low-cost precision strike capability against enemy ground targets.
Secretary of the Department of Defence Research and Development and DRDO Chairman Dr. Samir V. Kamat also congratulated the teams associated with the successful trial.
Meanwhile, defence officials highlighted that collaboration with Indian industries would strengthen domestic defence manufacturing and expand future production capacity.
The successful trial also reflected the growing focus on indigenous military technologies under India’s self-reliance initiatives in the strategic sector. Furthermore, officials said such programmes would support advanced defence research and local industry participation.
