In a significant breakthrough for India’s defence preparedness, the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has successfully conducted flight trials of the third version of its Unmanned Aerial Vehicle-Launched Precision Guided Missile (ULPGM-V3). The test was carried out at the National Open Area Range (NOAR) in Kurnool, marking a major advancement in India’s precision strike capabilities using indigenous unmanned systems.
The ULPGM-V3 is an upgraded variant of the ULPGM-V2 and comes equipped with a high-definition dual-channel seeker, allowing it to engage a diverse range of targets with precision. Capable of operating in both plain and high-altitude terrains, the missile features day-and-night targeting capability and a two-way data link, enabling post-launch updates to the aim-point.
One of the defining features of ULPGM-V3 is its modular warhead design, with three configurations: an anti-armour warhead capable of penetrating modern armour systems including those protected by Explosive Reactive Armour (ERA), a penetration-cum-blast warhead for bunker-busting operations, and a pre-fragmentation warhead offering a wide lethality zone for soft targets.
The current trials were conducted for the anti-armour configuration, and the missile was launched from an indigenously developed UAV manufactured by Bengaluru-based start-up Newspace Research Technologies. DRDO has partnered with several Indian companies to integrate ULPGM systems with long-range and high-endurance drones.
This ambitious project is a collaborative effort involving multiple DRDO laboratories, including the Research Centre Imarat (RCI), Defence Research and Development Laboratory (DRDL), Terminal Ballistics Research Laboratory (TBRL), and others. Development-cum-Production Partners (DcPPs) Adani Defence and Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL), along with over 30 Indian MSMEs and start-ups, contributed to the successful development and testing of the missile.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh congratulated DRDO and its industry partners, calling the successful trials a testament to India’s growing ability to absorb and produce advanced defence technologies. Secretary, Department of Defence R&D and DRDO Chairman Dr. Samir V Kamat also praised the teams, stating that the development of such indigenous weapons is vital for national security in the current strategic environment.
The success of ULPGM-V3 not only strengthens India’s strike capabilities but also reinforces its push for self-reliance in defence manufacturing under the Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative.
