NEW DELHI — The Defense Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) successfully completed release trials of the indigenously developed Long-Range Glide Bomb (LRGB) ‘Gaurav’ between April 8 and 10, 2025, the Ministry of Defense announced Friday.
The tests, conducted from a Su-30 MKI fighter aircraft, demonstrated a strike range close to 100 kilometers with what officials described as “pinpoint accuracy.” The weapon was tested in multiple configurations and integrated at various stations on the aircraft, targeting a designated land target on an island, DRDO said in a statement.
‘Gaurav’ is a 1,000-kilogram class glide bomb designed and developed by DRDO’s Research Centre Imarat (RCI), Armament Research and Development Establishment (ARDE), and the Integrated Test Range (ITR) in Chandipur. The successful trials are seen as a critical step toward induction into the Indian Air Force’s (IAF) operational arsenal.
Senior officials from DRDO and the IAF observed and reviewed the trials. The development was supported by private and public sector players, including Adani Defense Systems & Technologies, Bharat Forge, and a network of Indian micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs).
“The development of LRGB will further enhance the capabilities of the Armed Forces to a great extent,” Defense Minister Rajnath Singh said in a post on X, formerly Twitter, commending DRDO, IAF, and industry partners for the milestone.
Dr. Samir V. Kamat, Secretary, Department of Defence R&D and Chairman of DRDO, also lauded the team’s efforts. The Centre for Military Airworthiness & Certification (CEMILAC) and the Directorate General of Aeronautical Quality Assurance (DGAQA) played key roles in certification and quality assurance processes.
The LRGB’ Gaurav’ adds to India’s growing inventory of precision-guided munitions. In recent years, India has intensified its efforts to indigenize defense manufacturing under the “Atmanirbhar Bharat” (Self-Reliant India) initiative, aimed at reducing reliance on foreign military imports. According to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), India was the world’s largest arms importer between 2019 and 2023, accounting for 9.8% of total global arms imports (SIPRI Fact Sheet, March 2024).
The Su-30 MKI, from which the trials were conducted, remains the backbone of India’s air combat fleet, with more than 270 aircraft in service. DRDO’s recent success aligns with India’s broader defense modernization strategy, which includes the development of advanced weapon systems such as the BrahMos missile, Astra air-to-air missile, and Smart Anti-Airfield Weapon (SAAW).
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