India Achieves Milestone with Successful UAV-Launched Missile Trials
Significant Advancement in Defence Technology
New Delhi, July 25: In a remarkable enhancement of India's self-reliant defence capabilities, the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) successfully conducted flight tests of the UAV-Launched Precision Guided Missile (ULPGM)-V3 at the National Open Area Range (NOAR) located in Kurnool, Andhra Pradesh.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh shared this achievement on the social media platform X, stating:
“In a significant advancement for India’s defence capabilities, @DRDO_India has successfully executed flight trials of the UAV Launched Precision Guided Missile (ULPGM)-V3 at the National Open Area Range (NOAR) in Kurnool, Andhra Pradesh. Congratulations to DRDO and its industry collaborators, including DcPPs, MSMEs, and Start-ups, for their role in the development and successful testing of the ULPGM-V3 system. This accomplishment demonstrates that the Indian industry is now equipped to absorb and manufacture essential Defence Technologies.”
While specific details regarding the ULPGM-V3 remain confidential, its development aligns with India's strategic advancements in guided missile technology.
Previously, the ULPGM-V2 was created by DRDO’s Terminal Ballistics Research Laboratory (TBRL), which featured various warhead configurations. The transition to UAV-launched, extended-range munitions, showcased at Aero India 2025, incorporates advanced features such as imaging infrared (IIR) seekers and dual-thrust propulsion systems, likely included in the V3 model.
This successful test underscores India's increasing emphasis on unmanned precision strike capabilities, a crucial aspect of contemporary military strategy.
ULPGM systems are engineered to be lightweight, accurate, and adaptable to multiple aerial platforms, offering strategic versatility in combat scenarios.
The selection of NOAR in Kurnool for these trials aligns with DRDO's approach to utilize this facility for validating cutting-edge technologies. The range has recently conducted successful tests of high-energy laser-based Directed Energy Weapons (DEWs), including systems capable of neutralizing fixed-wing UAVs and swarm drones, showcasing India's advancing high-tech testing capabilities.
This successful trial represents a significant step forward in the nation's commitment to achieving self-sufficiency in critical defence technologies, driven by collaborative efforts among DRDO, private industry, and MSMEs.