India's Defence Milestone: Successful Flight Trial of TARA Glide Weapon

The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and the Indian Air Force (IAF) have marked a significant achievement with the successful flight trial of the Tactical Advanced Range Augmentation (TARA) weapon system off Odisha's coast. This indigenous glide weapon system is designed to convert unguided warheads into precision-guided munitions, enhancing India's defence capabilities. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh praised the collaborative efforts of various organizations involved in this milestone. The government is prioritizing defence research, with substantial budget allocations to industries and start-ups, aiming to foster innovation and maintain a competitive edge in technology.

By Narendra Chaudhary May 8, 2026, 11:08 IST

Successful Flight Trial of TARA Weapon System

New Delhi/Balasore: The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) alongside the Indian Air Force (IAF) has successfully executed the first flight trial of the Tactical Advanced Range Augmentation (TARA) weapon system off the coast of Odisha, as announced on Friday.

TARA represents India's inaugural indigenous glide weapon system, designed to transform unguided warheads into precision-guided munitions, according to a statement from the Defence Ministry.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh praised the efforts of DRDO, IAF, Development cum Production Partners (DcPP), and the industry for this significant milestone, highlighting its importance in bolstering India's self-reliant defence capabilities.

Developed by the Research Centre Imarat (RCI) in Hyderabad, along with various DRDO laboratories, TARA aims to enhance the effectiveness and precision of cost-efficient weapons targeting ground-based threats.

This glide weapon is the first to incorporate advanced low-cost technologies. The kit's development has been a collaborative effort with DcPP and other Indian industries, which have commenced production.

Dr. Samir V Kamat, Secretary of the Department of Defence R&D and Chairman of DRDO, also extended his congratulations to the teams involved in the successful trial.

In related news, Rajnath Singh emphasized this week that the government prioritizes defence research, noting that DRDO has transferred 2,200 technologies to various sectors.

Speaking at the opening session of the three-day 'North Tech Symposium', organized by the Indian Army’s Northern and Central Commands along with the Society of Indian Defence Manufacturers, the minister stressed the need for continuous research and the element of surprise to remain competitive amid rapid technological advancements.

He also mentioned that 25% of the defence R&D budget has been allocated to industries, academia, and start-ups, with these entities having already utilized over ₹4,500 crore of the budget.