Nagpur: In a major technological leap that places Nagpur firmly on the global defence manufacturing map, Solar Defence and Aerospace Limited has developed the world’s first universal 125-kg air bomb, a breakthrough weapon system capable of being deployed seamlessly from both NATO (Western) and Russian-origin fighter aircraft. The innovation marks a decisive step in overcoming long-standing technical and logistical hurdles faced by the Indian Air Force.
The landmark development was recently unveiled by Solar Group Chairman Satyanarayan Nuwal in the presence of Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, underlining its strategic importance for India’s defence preparedness. Designed and developed entirely in India, the air bomb has already successfully completed user trials on the Mirage-2000 fighter aircraft and has received approval for operational fitment.
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23 Jan 2026
Integration of the universal bomb with the Indian Air Force’s frontline Sukhoi-30MKI fleet is currently underway. Officials said that critical evaluations, including adaptation and pit-drop trials, are in advanced stages and are expected to be completed shortly, paving the way for wider deployment across multiple platforms.
Until now, air forces operating mixed fleets of Western and Russian aircraft were compelled to maintain separate bomb variants with identical destructive capability, owing to differences in suspension lugs, release mechanisms and avionics interfaces. This duplication created significant challenges in production, certification, storage, logistics and long-term maintenance.
Solar Group’s universal 125-kg air bomb eliminates these complexities through a highly adaptive suspension and interface architecture, ensuring full compatibility with both NATO and Russian carriage standards. As a result, the same bomb can be fitted and used across diverse fighter platforms without the need for aircraft-specific modifications—an achievement considered rare in the global defence industry.
The breakthrough has already begun attracting strong international interest, particularly from countries operating heterogeneous fighter fleets. Defence analysts believe the universal bomb will offer a cost-effective and operationally efficient alternative, significantly reducing inventory burdens and lifecycle costs.
The project forms a key pillar of Solar Group’s strategic expansion into the aerial munitions domain. The Nagpur-based defence major has an established footprint in manufacturing artillery shells, rockets, warheads and propellants, and the air bomb marks a natural progression into advanced airborne weapon systems.
Importantly, the development aligns closely with the Government of India’s Atmanirbhar Bharat vision in defence production, offering a robust indigenous alternative to imported aerial bombs. With this innovation, Solar Defence and Aerospace Limited has not only strengthened India’s self-reliance in critical military hardware but has also positioned itself as a global contender in next-generation aerial munitions.
