The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) successfully tested a high‑calibre bomb at the Terminal Ballistics Research Laboratory (TBRL) in Ramgarh on Sunday.

The trial was carried out under comprehensive security arrangements and strict adherence to established safety protocols, according to officials. The test reinforced DRDO’s ongoing efforts to validate advanced explosive systems and strengthen India’s defence preparedness.

Explosive trials at the TBRL have been conducted several times in the past, and the latest detonation was powerful enough for its sound to be heard several kilometres away from the range.

Senior officers of the Indian Air Force were present during the exercise, which strongly suggested that the tested bomb was intended to serve as a warhead for IAF missiles or other air‑dropped munitions.

However, DRDO sources remained tight‑lipped about the technical specifications and performance parameters of the weapon.

In anticipation of the test, the district administration of Panchkula had issued a high alert and urged residents of nearby villages and habitats to remain indoors on Sunday morning. As part of the security protocol, special surveillance was maintained in the surrounding areas to ensure public safety.

The TBRL had cautioned that bomb fragments could reach a height of 1.5 kilometres and spread across a radius of 2 kilometres from the detonation site, necessitating strict restrictions on movement in the vicinity.

The TBRL, a key DRDO establishment under its armaments cluster, is dedicated to the ballistics evaluation of warheads and projectiles. Its research spans high explosives, detonics, shock waves and terminal effects of ammunition.

The laboratory plays a crucial role in evolving data and design parameters for new armaments, thereby supporting the development of advanced weapon systems for the armed forces. The successful test at Ramgarh further highlighted the laboratory’s expertise in assessing the destructive potential and reliability of high‑calibre munitions.

This trial also underscored the importance of DRDO’s collaboration with the Indian Air Force in developing next‑generation ordnance.

With the presence of senior Air Force officials, the exercise demonstrated the close integration of research, testing and operational requirements.

The event reaffirmed India’s commitment to enhancing its indigenous defence capabilities through rigorous scientific evaluation and controlled field trials.

Agencies