India's Air Force Successfully Tests Long-Range Glide Bomb 'Khagantak-243'

The Indian Air Force has successfully carried out a drop trial of the Khagantak-243, an indigenously designed Long Range Glide Bomb (LRGB), on 2 September, 2026, marking a major step forward for India's precision-strike capability under the Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative. The trial met all its objectives, giving the IAF a new stand-off weapon for future operations.

Khagantak-243 is a long-range precision strike weapon.

1. The Khagantak-243 is built to be released from a fighter jet and then glide toward its target, rather than falling straight down like a conventional bomb. 
2. This gliding ability lets pilots strike targets from a safe distance, without flying directly over heavily defended areas. 
3. Reports indicate the bomb can cover a range of over 140 km when dropped from a height of roughly 12,000 metres.
4. Structurally, it has a cylindrical shape with swivel-type mid-body wings and five control surfaces at the rear that guide it toward the target with accuracy. 
5. The warhead fitted is a Mk 81 general-purpose blast-fragmentation type, carrying 125 kg of explosives. 
6. Because the Khagantak series follows a modular design, its warhead and guidance systems can be swapped out to suit different mission needs.
7. The Su-30MKI has been chosen as the first aircraft for flight-testing the bomb, and the IAF is also looking at integrating it with other fighter platforms going forward.

Khagantak-243 Developed Jointly by BEL and JSR Dynamics

The bomb has been built through a partnership between Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) and JSR Dynamics. JSR Dynamics has handled the bomb's body structure and control mechanisms, while BEL contributed the electronics and guidance systems that help the weapon stay on target.

The IAF had already placed an order with BEL for a batch of Khagantak-243 bombs, though the exact quantity and contract value have not been made public. This successful trial strengthens India's push toward self-reliance in advanced defence technology, reducing dependence on imported precision munitions and boosting the country's homegrown weapons manufacturing base.