For the First Time, India’s DRDO, IAF Successfully Test TARA Weapon System

NC Bipindra

TARA has been designed and developed by Research Centre Imarat (RCI), Hyderabad, along with other DRDO laboratories, to enhance the lethality and accuracy of a low-cost weapon to neutralise ground-based targets. It is the first glide weapon to utilise state-of-the-art low-cost systems. The development of the kit has been undertaken with Development-cum -Production Partners (DcPP) and other Indian industries, which have already started the production activity.

DRDO TARA weapon image, TARA 500 glide weapon system photo, India indigenous glide bomb image, DRDO precision-guided weapon visuals, Tactical Advanced Range Augmentation weapon image, Indian Air Force TARA weapon trial photo.

India successfully conducts the maiden flight-trial of the indigenous TARA weapon system off the Odisha coast, marking a major milestone in DRDO and Indian Air Force efforts to strengthen precision-strike and indigenous defence capabilities. Image courtesy: PIB Delhi.

India has successfully conducted the first flight-trial of the indigenous Tactical Advanced Range Augmentation (TARA) weapon system off the Odisha coast.

“(The) Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and the Indian Air Force (IAF) successfully conducted the maiden flight-trial of Tactical Advanced Range Augmentation (TARA) weapon off the coast of Odisha on May 07, 2026,” a Ministry of Defence statement said on Friday (May 8).

TARA, the modular range-extension kit, is India’s first indigenous glide weapon system, converting unguided warheads into precision-guided weapons.

TARA has been designed and developed by Research Centre Imarat (RCI), Hyderabad, along with other DRDO laboratories, to enhance the lethality and accuracy of a low-cost weapon to neutralise ground-based targets.

It is the first glide weapon to utilise state-of-the-art low-cost systems. The development of the kit has been undertaken with Development-cum -Production Partners (DcPP) and other Indian industries, which have already started the production activity.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh congratulated DRDO, IAF, DcPP, and the Industry for the maiden flight-trial, describing it as a significant development in advancing India’s indigenous defence capabilities.

DRDO Chairman and Department of Defence Research and Development Secretary Dr. Samir V. Kamat also congratulated the teams associated with the successful flight trial.

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