The Indian Air Force successfully tested Khagantak-243, advancing indigenous stand-off strike capabilities and strengthening India’s defence technology and manufacturing ecosystem.

BulletsIn

• The Indian Air Force successfully conducted the drop trial of indigenous Khagantak-243, marking a major milestone in India’s advanced defence capabilities.
• Khagantak-243 is a 300-kilogram-class long-range precision-guided glide bomb developed for stand-off attacks against targets from considerable distances.
• The weapon enables fighter aircraft to engage targets without flying directly over them, improving operational flexibility and reducing exposure to air defences.
• Khagantak-243 reportedly offers a range exceeding 140 kilometres when released from an altitude of approximately 12,000 metres during operational deployment.
• The glide bomb features a cylindrical body, swivel-type mid-body wings and five aft control surfaces designed to support controlled long-distance flight.
• Khagantak-243 carries a Mk 81 general-purpose blast-fragmentation warhead containing approximately 125 kilograms of explosive fill for effective target engagement.
• The wider Khagantak family follows a modular architecture, enabling different warhead and guidance configurations based on specific operational requirements.
• Bharat Electronics Limited received an Indian Air Force order for Khagantak-243, while the number of units and contract value remain undisclosed.
• The weapon was jointly developed by JSR Dynamics and Bharat Electronics Limited, highlighting stronger partnerships within India’s indigenous defence industry.
• The successful trial reflects growing emphasis on precision-guided weapons under India’s Make in India and Atmanirbhar Bharat defence initiatives.
• The Indian Air Force described the trial as a significant achievement for both the service and Indian defence industry.
• The successful demonstration strengthens India’s capability to develop and deploy indigenous long-range precision weapons for future air combat operations.