Indigenous 1000-kg Aerial Bomb for IAF | 20 Apr 2026

Source: TH 

Recently, the Ministry of Defence initiated the indigenous design and development of a 1,000-kg aerial bomb (similar to Mk-84) for the Indian Air Force (IAF), which currently relies on imported Mk-84 class general-purpose bombs. 

• Objective: The project aims to boost Aatmanirbhar Bharat in defence and reduce dependence on foreign Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs). 
• Implementation Framework: The project is being executed under Defence Acquisition Procedure (DAP) 2020 through the Make-II (industry-funded) route, followed by procurement under the Buy (Indian–Indian–Indigenously Designed, Developed and Manufactured) category, ensuring a clear development-to-procurement linkage. 
• Indigenisation & Participation: The project mandates at least 50% indigenous content and is open to Indian private industry, with provisions for technology transfer, joint ventures and foreign collaboration under defined conditions. 
• Technical Features & Compatibility: The bomb will be a high-calibre, natural fragmentation munition with high blast effect and significant peak over-pressure capability, designed to be compatible with both Russian and Western-origin aircraft used by the IAF. 
• Timeline: The project is estimated to be completed in ~2.5 years from Expression of interest to contract finalisation, including trials and evaluation.