Maiden Flight Test of India’s Advanced Glide Weapon TARA
On May 7, 2026, the Indian Air Force (IAF) successfully conducted the first flight trial of the Tactical Advanced Range Augmentation (TARA) weapon, developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO). This milestone marks a significant advancement in India’s military capabilities.
TARA is designed as a modular range extension kit that transforms unguided bombs into precise, long-range guided munitions. According to the Indian Ministry of Defence, this makes it India’s first homegrown glide weapon system. The trial took place off the coast of Odisha in eastern India, where a 500 kg bomb equipped with the TARA kit was launched from an IAF Sepecat Jaguar aircraft.
The TARA kit was developed at DRDO’s Research Centre Imarat in Hyderabad, with contributions from various other DRDO labs. The kit is built using cost-effective technologies, and local production has already begun with several Indian companies involved as development and production partners.
Notably, Adani Defence and Aerospace showcased the TARA model at Aero India 2025, highlighting its role in the project. The weapon can be released from altitudes between 10,000 and 45,000 feet, reaching speeds near Mach 0.8. When launched from 42,000 feet at Mach 0.9, it can accurately hit targets located 80 to 100 kilometers away.
TARA is available in two accuracy variants. The ‘SAT’ (Satellite Aided Terminal) version can achieve a circular error probable of less than 20 meters, while the ‘UC-IIR’ (Uncooled Imaging Infrared) variant boasts an impressive accuracy of less than 3 meters.
This successful trial is a significant step forward for India’s defence technology and enhances the country’s ability to conduct precise and effective military operations.
