Why In News?

The Ministry of Defence (MoD) signed ₹810.79 crore contract with Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL) for the procurement of 160 Satellite Smart Anti-Airfield Weapons (SAT-SAAW).

What Is SAT-SAAW?

Air-to-Ground Precision-Guided Glide Bomb

SAT-SAAW is an indigenously designed 125 kg class precision-guided glide bomb (measuring 1.85 metres in length) equipped with folding wings but no engine, allowing it to convert release altitude and speed into forward glide distance.

Long Stand-Off Range Capability

The weapon offers an operational stand-off range of up to 90–100 km depending on release conditions, allowing launch aircraft to attack targets while staying outside the engagement envelope of enemy surface-to-air missile (SAM) defences.

Anti-Airfield Weapon System

Engineered specifically to crater runways, degrade taxi tracks, and destroy fortified surface assets, radars, and hardened shelters, grounding enemy aircraft without requiring individual dogfights.

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Platforms for Launch

Cleared for operational deployment on key IAF strike aircraft including the Sukhoi Su-30 MKI, Jaguar (DARIN III), and Hawk Mk132 (Hawk-i), while also flight-tested across Mirage 2000, MiG-29, and LCA Tejas platforms.

Key Technical Features

DRDO Indigenous Design and Development: Conceived and engineered by DRDO’s Research Centre Imarat (RCI) in Hyderabad, and flight-test support from the IAF.

Indigenous Content: Achieves 60% indigenous content, exceeding the minimum 50% requirement set under the Buy (Indian-IDDM) category of the Defence Acquisition Procedure (DAP).

Satellite Navigation and Precision Guidance: Features a dual-guidance architecture utilizing IN-GPS integrated with ISRO's NavIC satellite navigation for mid-course updates.

Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU): Equipped with an indigenized IMU containing accelerometers and gyroscopes to track movement independently.

Strategic Significance

Enhanced IAF Operational Capability: Upgrades fourth-generation fighters like the Su-30 MKI and Jaguar into long-range precision strike assets without requiring new aircraft purchases.

Stand-Off Strike Capability & Survivability: Keeps pilots and expensive manned aircraft safe from short- and medium-range air defense systems positioned around enemy airbases.

Reduced Dependence on Foreign Systems: Domestic production by BDL shields the IAF from foreign arms embargoes or supply chain choke points during regional crises.

Strengthening Aatmanirbhar Bharat in Defence: Demonstrates sovereign defense technology ownership, from baseline weapon design (DRDO) to core sub-system indigenization (IMU, fuse, twin store carrier) and mass production (BDL).

Source: PIB

PRACTICE QUESTION

Q. With reference to the Satellite Smart Anti-Airfield Weapon (SAT-SAAW), consider the following statements:

  1. It is a powered cruise missile equipped with a turbojet engine designed for low-altitude terrain hugging.

  2. It was procured under the 'Buy (Indian-IDDM)' category of the Defence Acquisition Procedure.

  3. It incorporates an indigenous Inertial Measurement Unit to maintain guidance accuracy during satellite signal jamming.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 and 2 only

(b) 2 and 3 only

(c) 1 and 3 only

(d) 1, 2, and 3

Answer: (b)

Explanation:

Statement 1 is incorrect: SAAW is an unpowered, long-range precision-guided glide bomb, not a turbojet-powered cruise missile. It relies on aerodynamic lift and fold-out fins to glide up to ~100 km after release from aircraft such as the Jaguar, Hawk, or Su-30MKI. 

Statement 2 is correct: The weapon system was cleared and contracted under the 'Buy (Indian-IDDM)' (Indigenously Designed, Developed and Manufactured) category of the Defence Acquisition Procedure (DAP), developed by DRDO and produced by Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL). 

Statement 3 is correct: To withstand electronic countermeasures and satellite signal degradation or jamming, SAT-SAAW pairs satellite navigation with an indigenous Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU) / Inertial Navigation System (INS) to maintain target accuracy.