As Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin continue their high-level talks in New Delhi, defence cooperation has quietly taken centre stage. While much attention is on the S-500 air-defence system and Su-57 stealth fighter technology, another major weapon has entered the discussions Russia’s powerful FAB-3000 glide bomb.
This bomb, already battle-tested in Ukraine, is now being offered to India, along with the technology to assemble it domestically.
What Is FAB-3000?
The FAB-3000 is a heavy, high-explosive aerial bomb weighing three tonnes. Its official name simply indicates its weight: FAB-3000, meaning a 3000-kg bomb.
Key technical details include:
- Length: About 4.2 metres
- Diameter: About 2.1 feet
- Total Weight: 3000 kg
- Explosive Material: Nearly 1400 kg
- Explosive Type: Tritonal (a mix of TNT and aluminium powder)
Tritonal burns hotter and faster than regular TNT, producing a powerful blast wave capable of destroying hardened structures.
Although the FAB-3000 has existed for decades, Russia has modernised it with new guidance and glide features, transforming it from a traditional drop bomb into a long-range, semi-guided weapon.
A Traditional Bomb With a Modern ‘Brain’
The upgraded version uses a special UMPK kit that includes:
- Foldable wings that deploy after release
- Satellite and inertial navigation
- Guidance using GLONASS/GPS signals
Once dropped from a fighter jet, the bomb’s wings open and it “glides” toward its target. Russian pilots can release it from up to 70 km away, staying outside enemy air-defence zones.
This is similar to the American JDAM-ER kit, but the Russian bomb is far heavier and significantly more destructive.
What the Bomb Has Done in Ukraine
The FAB-3000 has gained attention because of its impact on the battlefield in Ukraine. Russian Su-34 jets have been repeatedly using it to strike bunkers, factories, bridges, and reinforced military positions.
Explosions from the FAB-3000 create:
- Crater widths of 50–60 metres
- Depths of 15–20 metres
In many areas, Ukrainian soldiers have described it as a “flying cloud of destruction” because the blast wave travels far beyond the point of impact, collapsing underground tunnels and shelters.
Why India Is Interested
Strategic experts believe India is evaluating the FAB-3000 for several reasons:
- It can neutralise deep Chinese bunkers along the LAC.
- It can strike hardened Pakistani military positions and command centres.
- The Indian Air Force’s Su-30MKI jets can carry it with minor modifications.
- Russia is willing to offer technology transfer, allowing India to assemble the bombs domestically.
- It is relatively affordable, with each bomb-and-kit combination estimated at ₹20–30 lakh.
Reports suggest India may initially procure 200-300 bombs along with UMPK glide kits.
A New Layer in India-Russia Defence Ties
If India accepts the offer, the FAB-3000 would add a deep-strike capability to the Air Force that currently exists in limited form. While defence experts caution against overstating the impact of a single weapon, they agree that it would expand India’s options in any high-altitude or high-intensity conflict.
As discussions continue in Delhi, the bomb has quietly become one of the most talked-about elements of the Modi–Putin meeting a reminder that defence cooperation remains the backbone of the India–Russia partnership.
