With two vicious and notorious neighbours in the immediate vicinity of the country, New Delhi has given the nod to Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) to manufacture a 1.9 meter long, 500 kg General Purpose (GP) bomb. The bomb has blast, fragmentation, and penetration capabilities that can be used to instil fear in the hearts and minds of Chinese and Pakistani officials.
The GP bomb will be manufactured in Madhya Pradesh’s Jabalpur district in the ordnance factory situated in Khamaria town. A team of DRDO has reached Khamaria to oversee the production of the bomb. Additionally, a team of Armament Research and Development Establishment Pune has also reached the Ordnance Factory in Khamaria to provide its expertise.
Production started last week
The filling of two bombs started last week and the production is expected to be ramped up in the coming days. A GP bomb combines the effects of both blast and fragmentation and hence can be used against a wide variety of targets. They are designed to be effective against enemy troops, vehicles, and buildings.
According to reports, the DRDO developed bomb, once manufactured, will have the power to destroy any airport in Pakistan in a single attack. Not just that, China’s bullet train will also be able to come under its direct target.
Before the bomb went into production, flight trials from Jaguar aircraft, Su-30 had been completed. The bomb can be easily air-dropped on its target to cause maximum damage.
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The working of the bomb
The Bomb Body is a steel casing of 356mm diameter and 1.9m length. The casing is filled with High Explosive (Torpex-4B). The bomb body is to be manufactured either through forging or sand-less vacuum casting methods like ‘Replicast’. Tail Unit mainly consists of an MS Tail Cone and Fin Assembly.
The Tail cone is manufactured by rolling and welding sheet metal and achieving close run-out. Fin assembly is welded onto the Tail cone. The fabrication involves the use of special fixtures for welding various parts, maintaining a high degree of concentricity.
Pakistan and China already rattled
Both Pakistan and China are already rattled after India deployed its cruise missile in Kashmir, with New Delhi planning to do the same in advanced outposts of the North East targeting parts of China-controlled Tibet and other regions. India developing another killer bomb is expected to further antagonize the duo.
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Through the manufacturing of GP bombs, the government has once again shown that it is aggressively batting on the front foot. From reforming the procurement ecosystem to indigenizing and supporting MSME and start-ups to promoting innovation and R&D – it is ticking all the boxes at the moment.
