The contract was signed in the presence of Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh and falls under the "Buy" (Indian‑Indigenously Designed, Developed and Manufactured) category, underscoring the government’s push for domestic defence production.
SAT‑SAAW is an air‑to‑ground precision‑guided glide bomb designed to strike enemy airfields from stand‑off ranges, enhancing the IAF’s ability to conduct precision strikes without entering hostile airspace.
The weapon can be launched from the IAF’s Jaguar, Hawk and Su‑30MKI fighter aircraft, expanding the strike envelope of these platforms.
Developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), the system will have an indigenous content of about 60%, with plans to further indigenise critical sub‑systems such as the Initial Measurement Unit, Long Impact Delay Fuse and Twin Store Carrier.
Deliveries of the 160 SAT‑SAAW units and associated equipment are scheduled between the fiscal years 2027‑28 and 2028‑29, a timeline that aligns with the IAF’s broader modernisation roadmap.
The Ministry of Defence said the acquisition will enhance the IAF’s operational capability and contribute to self‑reliance in defence production, reinforcing India’s strategic autonomy in the aerial domain.