Defence Research and Development Organisation and the Indian Air Force conducted the first flight test of the TARA weapon system

Defence Research and Development Organisation and the Indian Air Force conducted the first flight test of the TARA weapon system

¨   Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and the Indian Air Force (IAF) conducted the first flight test of the TARA weapon system on 7 May 2026.

¨     The test was carried out off the coast of Odisha.

¨     The TARA system was released from a Jaguar fighter aircraft.

¨     TARA is regarded as India’s first indigenous glide weapon system.

TARA Weapon System

¨     TARA stands for “Tactical Advanced Range Augmentation.”

¨     It is a modular range extension kit.

¨     The system converts unguided warheads into precision-guided munitions.

¨     It has been designed to enhance the range, accuracy, and lethality of low-cost weapons.

¨     The system is intended for use against ground targets.

Design and Development

¨     The system was developed by the Research Centre Imarat (RCI), Hyderabad.

¨     Other DRDO laboratories and Indian industry partners also contributed to its development.

¨     Production activities have already commenced with Development cum Production Partners and other Indian industries.

Key Features of the Flight Test

¨     The flight test validated the aerodynamic performance of the winged glide configuration.

¨     It also verified the weapon’s navigation, guidance, and control mechanisms.

¨     The Jaguar fighter aircraft was used during the test.

¨     Jaguar is a twin-engine ground attack aircraft operated by the Indian Air Force.