Platform profile · India · Long-range stand-off precision-guided glide bomb · Indian Air Force
Smart Anti-Airfield Weapon (SAAW)
OngoingANI reported on 17 June 2025 that an IAF proposal for the satellite-guided SAAW was awaiting Ministry of Defence discussion.
On 17 June 2025, ANI reported that an Indian Air Force proposal for the satellite-guided SAAW was due for Ministry of Defence discussion and envisaged integration across almost the full fighter fleet, including the Su-30MKI. Current Bharat Dynamics data lists the 125 kg, 1.85 m weapon with a 90-100 km range, accuracy under 7 m with IN-GPS and under 3 m with a seeker. On 28 October and 3 November 2021, DRDO and the IAF tested satellite-navigation and electro-optical/IIR configurations at Chandan Range, hitting the intended targets; on 14 December the Defence Minister handed SAAW to the Chief of the Air Staff. Earlier rounds included a Hawk-i captive-and-release trial in January 2021, three live-warhead tests in August 2018, and three guided drops beyond 70 km in November 2017. SAAW matters because it lets Indian aircraft disable runways, taxi tracks, bunkers and radars from stand-off range with a lightweight indigenous weapon.
Updated 17 Jun 2025
Verified figures
Specifications
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| Weapon class | Long-range, stand-off, precision air-to-surface weapon launched from fighter aircraft ↗ |
| Mass | 125 kg ↗ |
| Length | 1.85 m ↗ |
| Range | 90-100 km, depending on release conditions ↗ |
| Accuracy | Less than 7 m with IN-GPS; less than 3 m with seeker ↗ |
| Guidance configurations tested | Satellite-navigation and electro-optical sensor configurations ↗ |
| Electro-optical terminal seeker | Indigenously developed imaging-infrared seeker ↗ |
| Target set | Airfield radars, bunkers, taxi tracks and runways ↗ |
| Demonstrated light-aircraft platform | HAL Hawk-i captive-and-release trial ↗ |
| Warhead | 80 kg high-explosive warhead ↗ |
| Developer and aircraft integrator | Research Centre Imarat with other DRDO laboratories and IAF support; HAL Bengaluru carried out aircraft integration ↗ |
| Production agency | Bharat Dynamics Limited ↗ |
Spec sources: bdl-india.in ↗ · pib.gov.in ↗ · pib.gov.in ↗ · economictimes.indiatimes.com ↗ · ddpmod.gov.in ↗
Changelog
Program timeline
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ANI reported that an IAF proposal for the satellite-guided SAAW was expected to be discussed by the Ministry of Defence; the plan covered almost the full fighter fleet, including Su-30MKI, and DRDO had also offered the weapon through emergency procurement.
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At DRDO Bhawan in New Delhi, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh handed SAAW to Chief of the Air Staff Air Chief Marshal V R Chaudhari as one of five DRDO-developed products transferred to security agencies.
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DRDO and the IAF launched the electro-optical/IIR SAAW configuration from Chandan Range, Jaisalmer; it hit the intended target with high accuracy in India's first flight test of this bomb class using an electro-optical seeker.
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DRDO and the IAF launched the satellite-navigation SAAW configuration from Chandan Range, Jaisalmer; the intended target was hit with high accuracy and the adapted launcher released the weapon cleanly.
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DRDO conducted a captive-and-release trial of SAAW from HAL's Hawk-i off the Odisha coast.
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SAAW completed a three-test campaign at Chandan Range during 16-18 August with different release conditions; live warheads destroyed their targets with high precision, bringing the programme to eight developmental trials.
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An IAF aircraft dropped SAAW at ITR Chandipur; the Ministry of Defence said the three-test campaign covered different release conditions and ranges and reached targets beyond 70 km with high accuracy.
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DRDO flight-tested the 120 kg-class SAAW from an IAF aircraft, demonstrating precision engagement of ground targets at up to 100 km.
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