JSR Dynamics Unveils MGLD-W: India’s New 297-km Ground-Launched Missile Drone for Fast Precision Strikes

Nagpur-based defence firm JSR Dynamics Pvt. Ltd. has revealed an impressive new addition to India’s growing arsenal of smart weaponry — a missile drone system called the Miniature Ground Launched Drone-Weaponized (MGLD-W). Compact yet powerful, this new drone is built for high-speed, long-range precision attacks, giving India a fresh edge in modern battlefield scenarios.

Weighing around 400 kilograms and launched directly from the ground, the MGLD-W is designed to travel up to 297 kilometers at a top speed of Mach 0.85, which is roughly 1,050 kilometers per hour near sea level. It’s powered by a 150 kgf turbojet engine, allowing it to quickly cover large distances and strike time-sensitive or high-value targets with minimal delay.

The drone’s navigation system combines inertial guidance with multi-constellation satellite support, including GPS, GLONASS, and NavIC — India’s own satellite navigation system. This mix ensures that even if enemies attempt to jam or interfere with satellite signals, the MGLD-W can still navigate effectively and reach its destination.

What makes this system particularly effective is its use of terminal guidance seekers during the final stage of the mission. While specific details remain undisclosed, these seekers are likely based on imaging infrared or radar technology, allowing the drone to lock onto moving or well-defended targets. This means it doesn’t just fly towards a general area—it zeroes in on exactly what it’s supposed to destroy.

For firepower, the MGLD-W carries the MK-81 warhead, a general-purpose bomb weighing about 250 pounds (113 kg). Normally used by aircraft, this bomb has now been repurposed for ground-launched missions, making it a more affordable and flexible option for frontline forces. The warhead can be configured either to create a wide area of destruction through fragmentation or to break through hardened bunkers and enemy shelters.

One of the most important aspects of the MGLD-W is its ground-launch capability. It doesn’t need a runway or an aircraft to operate. This makes it highly mobile and easy to deploy across different terrains — especially useful along India’s varied borders where air support might not always be immediately available.

With its nearly 300-kilometre range, this missile drone can hit critical enemy locations like radar stations, command centres, ammunition dumps, or communication hubs, all while keeping the launch team far from danger. That standoff capability is crucial in reducing risk to personnel during offensive operations.

The addition of precise terminal seekers means it could be as accurate as India’s advanced Rudram anti-radiation missiles, which have demonstrated the ability to strike within 10 metres of their target. If the MGLD-W reaches similar standards, it could become a reliable and cost-effective strike option for India’s armed forces, particularly in situations where speed, accuracy, and flexibility are essential.

With the introduction of the MGLD-W, India takes a strong step forward in developing indigenous smart weapons that meet the needs of modern combat. As tensions in the region continue to highlight the importance of advanced defence systems, this homegrown missile drone may become a key player in maintaining strategic balance and readiness.