DRDO, IAF conduct first flight trial of ‘Tactical Advanced Range Augmentation’ weapon
Credit PIB
The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and the Indian Air Force (IAF) have successfully conducted the maiden flight trial of Tactical Advanced Range Augmentation (TARA) weapon off the Odisha coast on Thursday, May 07, 2026.
TARA, the modular range extension kit, “is India’s first indigenous glide weapon system to convert unguided warheads into precision guided weapons,” the Defence Ministry said on Friday.
TARA has been designed and developed by the 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, the Ministry said, adding that it is the first glide weapon to utilise state-of-the-art low-cost systems.
The development of the ‘modular range extension kit' has been undertaken with Development cum Production Partners (DcPP) and other Indian industries, which have started the production process.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh congratulated the DRDO, IAF, DcPP, and the Industry for the maiden flight trial and described it as a significant development in advancing India’s indigenous defence capabilities.
Secretary, Department of Defence R&D and Chairman DRDO Dr Samir V Kamat also congratulated the teams associated with the successful flight-trial.
