In a major enhancement of its offensive capabilities, the Indian Air Force (IAF) is moving to equip its primary fighter aircraft with the domestically developed Smart Anti-Airfield Weapon (SAAW).
This advanced precision-guided bomb, engineered by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), represents a substantial achievement in India's goal of self-sufficiency in critical defence technologies.
The SAAW is a 125 kg class smart weapon designed to neutralise high-value ground targets such as enemy runways, bunkers, aircraft shelters, and radar stations from a safe distance.
With a confirmed range of over 100 kilometres, it allows IAF pilots to engage fortified enemy installations without entering heavily defended airspace.
The integration of this weapon is planned for a wide array of the IAF's fighter fleet, including the Sukhoi Su-30 MKI, Mikoyan MiG-29, and the indigenous HAL Tejas Light Combat Aircraft.
This weapon system's sophisticated guidance mechanism is a key feature, employing a combination of satellite navigation and terminal electro-optical seekers.
This dual-guidance ensures high accuracy, reportedly within three metres of the designated target, which is crucial for effective strikes while minimising unintended collateral damage.
The development of the SAAW, which began in 2013, has undergone a series of successful tests, proving its capability to destroy targets with precision under various conditions.
The induction of the SAAW is a significant boost to the "Aatmanirbhar Bharat" (Self-reliant India) policy, which promotes the domestic design, development, and manufacturing of defence equipment. By reducing the dependency on foreign-sourced munitions, the nation enhances its national security and conserves foreign exchange.
According to defence officials, the operational flexibility offered by SAAW is a major tactical advantage, as its compatibility across multiple aircraft platforms allows for more dynamic and responsive mission planning against emerging threats.
The project, developed by DRDO's Research Centre Imarat (RCI) in Hyderabad, is now in production at Bharat Dynamics Limited.
The DRDO and IAF are reportedly exploring future versions of the weapon with extended range and enhanced warhead capabilities to ensure it remains effective in the face of evolving modern warfare technologies.
This development is celebrated by industry experts as a clear indicator of India's advancing expertise in creating world-class precision weaponry.
