India Successfully Tests Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Launched Precision Guided Missile
Quick Look
- India's DRDO successfully completed final trials of its Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Launched Precision Guided Missile (ULPGM)-V3 in both air-to-ground and air-to-air modes.
- The missile, developed entirely within India's domestic defense ecosystem, demonstrated anti-tank and airborne target strike capabilities, marking a milestone for self-reliance in defense.
AI-generated summary
Why It Matters
The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) conducted final development trials for its Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Launched Precision Guided Missile (ULPGM)-V3. The trials were held in Andhra Pradesh and tested the missile in both air-to-ground and air-to-air modes. The missile system was controlled by an integrated Ground Control System (GCS) and developed with contributions from various DRDO labs and private partners.
In a major boost to India’s indigenous defence capabilities, the Defence Research and Development Organisation successfully completed the final development trials of the Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Launched Precision Guided Missile (ULPGM)-V3 in both Air-to-Ground and Air-to-Air modes at the DRDO test range near Kurnool in Andhra Pradesh. The trials marked the final deliverable configuration testing of the missile system and were conducted using an integrated Ground Control System (GCS) designed to command and control the ULPGM weapon platform. According to DRDO, the GCS incorporates advanced technologies to automate readiness and launch operations. The ULPGM-V3 has been developed by Research Centre Imarat (RCI), Hyderabad, as the nodal laboratory in collaboration with other DRDO facilities including Defence Research & Development Laboratory (DRDL), Hyderabad, Terminal Ballistics Research Laboratory (TBRL), Chandigarh, and High Energy Materials Research Laboratory (HEMRL), Pune. DRDO partnered with Bharat Dynamics Limited and Adani Defence Systems & Technologies Limited for the missile’s development and production. The missile system was integrated onto UAV platforms developed by Newspace Research and Technologies, Bengaluru, for the current trials. Officials said the missile was produced entirely through India’s domestic defence ecosystem involving MSMEs and private industries. The successful trials also confirmed what DRDO described as a “fully mature domestic supply chain” capable of supporting immediate serial mass production. Defence minister Rajnath Singh congratulated DRDO, public sector units, defence production partners and industry stakeholders for the successful trials. He described the achievement as “a strategic milestone achieved towards Aatmanirbharta in Defence.” According to the defence ministry, the ULPGM-V3 demonstrated anti-tank strike capability in Air-to-Ground mode and was also tested against drones, helicopters and airborne targets in Air-to-Air mode. DRDO Chairman and Secretary, Department of Defence R&D, Samir V Kamat also congratulated the teams associated with the trials for the successful achievement.
What to Watch
AI outlook — possibilities, not facts
Serial mass production of the ULPGM-V3 missile system will commence.
Very likely · Within months
Open Questions
- What is the specific range and payload capacity of the ULPGM-V3?
- When will serial mass production commence?
- What are the specific UAV platforms the missile is integrated with?
- What are the cost implications of this indigenous development?