Industry Odisha Bureau, May 8: India not only commemorated the first anniversary of its remarkably successful ‘Operation Sindoor’ against bête noire Pakistan today (May 8), but also globally sent a loud and clear message on its military might/defence capability by reportedly circulating a video of the maiden flight-trial of its first ever indigenous glide weapon TARA (Tactical Advance Range Augmentation) conducted on Thursday (May 7) off Odisha coast.
Reportedly designed and developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO)’s Research Centre Imarat (RCI) in collaboration with other DRDO laboratories, it is claimed to be: “A kit or system that can be fitted inside any ordinary bomb, converting it into a precision-guided munition. Once fitted, the bomb can be fired from a long distance and will strike its target with high accuracy. It allows aircraft to attack ground targets without entering enemy air defence range (stand-off capability). The system is fast, precise, and smart.”
TARA is also claimed to be special because: “It is a universal/neutral system — can be fitted on any aircraft (Tejas, Sukhoi, Jaguar, etc.) without any modification to the aircraft.”
Moreover, “TARA does not require the aircraft manufacturer’s technology, code, or encoder unlike foreign systems (Israel’s Spice, France’s Hammer).”
Thus, it reportedly implies: “India does not need to pay foreign currency to foreign countries for integration.”
So far TARA’s strategic importance is concerned, it is being claimed: “Will significantly boost Indian Air Force’s (IAF) strike capability as well as reduce India’s dependence on imports from Israel, France, USA, and China for such technology.”
Applauding the stupendous success, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh reportedly congratulated DRDO and RCI for the spectacular achievement as it aligns with PM Modi’s unique vision of “Make in India” and “Atmanirbhar Bharat”.
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