SAAW: Smart Anti-Airfield Weapon of DRDO

The Hindustan Aeronautics Limited recently test fired the SAAW (Smart Anti Airfield Weapon) from Hawk aircraft successfully. SAAW was developed by Defence Research Development Organisation (DRDO). SAAW is the first smart weapon fired from an Indian Hawk.

About SAAW

• SAAW is a long-range precision guided anti-airfield weapon. The weapon is capable of engaging ground targets with precision up to a range of hundred kilo metres.
• Basically, SAAW is a bomb. It is designed to destroy targets such as bunkers, runways, reinforced structures and aircraft hangers.
• The SAAW project was approved by Government of India in 2013.
• So far, eight successful tests of SAW have been conducted.
• In 2020, the Government of India approved SAAW project for Indian Navy and Indian Air Force.

Hawk aircraft

It is a tandem seat aircraft developed by HAL. The aircraft has an integrated attack system and radio and inertial navigation system. It is spin resistant.

Indian Defence System

• The Government of India is currently planning to increase indigenous defence production of the country. Eventually the plan is to reduce the imports and increase the exports. The GoI has set a target of defence exports of Rs 35,000 crores. This is to be achieved by 2025. In order to achieve the target, the Union cabinet recently approved the exports of Akash missile system. The Akash surface to air missile has a range of twenty-five kilometres. It was inducted in the Indian Air Force in 2014. Besides Akash, the GoI is also planning to export radars, coastal surveillance system and air platforms.
• In 2018-19, the defence exports of India was Rs 10,745 crores.
• India’s share in global arms exports in only 0.17%.

Current Scenario

According to SIPRI report published in 2020, India ranked 23^rd in the list of major arms exporters. India ranked fourth in Defence Firepower Index, 2021.

Month: Current Affairs - January, 2021