SOURCE: AFI
The Indian Air Force (IAF) has commenced receiving deliveries of Joint Direct Attack Munition (JDAM) precision-guided bombing kits, a significant upgrade for its Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas fleet. This acquisition, made in 2022 under delegated financial powers, is expected to significantly enhance the Tejas’ capabilities and enable it to carry out strikes with greater accuracy and precision.
The JDAM kits, which convert existing unguided bombs into precision-guided “smart” munitions, will equip the Tejas with the ability to target enemy bunkers and runways at distances of 80 kilometers and beyond. This is a substantial improvement over the Tejas’ previous capabilities and positions it as a more formidable fighter jet.
Government sources have revealed that the acquisition of JDAM kits will enable the Tejas to carry out Balakot-like airstrikes with even greater accuracy and precision. The JDAM’s guidance system, which includes an inertial navigational system (INS) and a global positioning system (GPS), ensures that bombs can be delivered with pinpoint accuracy, minimizing collateral damage.
The integration of JDAM kits into the Tejas fleet is a testament to India’s ongoing efforts to modernize its military capabilities. It also underscores the growing importance of precision-guided munitions in contemporary warfare. With the enhanced capabilities provided by JDAM, the Tejas is poised to play a crucial role in India’s defense strategy.