New Delhi: Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has completed the final deliverable configuration trials of the Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) Launched Precision Guided Missile (ULPGM)-V3, marking a significant advancement in India’s indigenous drone warfare and precision strike capabilities.
The trials were conducted at the DRDO test range near Kurnool, Andhra Pradesh, where the missile system was tested in both Air-to-Ground and Air-to-Air operational modes. Officials said the successful validation demonstrated the missile’s capability to engage armoured targets as well as aerial threats, including drones, helicopters, and other airborne platforms.
The trials were carried out using an integrated Ground Control System designed to command and control the ULPGM weapon platform, according to an official statement.
According to DRDO, the system incorporates advanced automation technologies for operational readiness and launch procedures.
The missile programme has emerged as a collaborative effort involving multiple public and private sector defence entities. Bharat Dynamics Limited and Adani Defence Systems & Technologies Limited have partnered with DRDO for missile development and production, while the UAV platform used during the trials was developed by Newspace Research and Technologies.
The ULPGM-V3 has been developed under the leadership of the Research Centre Imarat, which served as the nodal laboratory for the project. Other DRDO facilities involved in the programme include Defence Research and Development Laboratory, Terminal Ballistics Research Laboratory, and High Energy Materials Research Laboratory.
DRDO stated that the missile system has been developed entirely through the domestic defence manufacturing ecosystem with participation from several MSMEs and industry partners. The successful trials also confirmed the maturity of the indigenous supply chain and its preparedness for immediate serial production.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh congratulated DRDO, defence public sector undertakings, and industry partners for the achievement. He described the successful trials in both anti-tank and aerial interception roles as a strategic milestone in strengthening India’s self-reliance in defence manufacturing under the Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiative.
Samir V Kamat, who serves as Secretary of the Department of Defence R&D, congratulated the teams associated with the programme and praised their contribution to the successful completion of the trials.
