In a major boost to India’s indigenous drone warfare capabilities, Defence Research and Development Organisation successfully carried out development trials of the UAV-Launched Precision Guided Missile (ULPGM)-V3 at the DRDO test range near Kurnool.
The trials were conducted in both Air-to-Ground and Air-to-Air engagement modes, marking an important milestone in the development of next-generation precision strike systems for unmanned aerial platforms. The trials were carried out using an integrated Ground Control System (GCS) to command and control the ULPGM weapon system. The GCS features state-of-the-art technologies to automate readiness and launch operations.
According to officials, the missile demonstrated its ability to accurately engage targets from an unmanned aerial vehicle, highlighting the growing maturity of India’s indigenous drone-based combat technologies. The successful testing also reflects DRDO’s increasing focus on developing versatile weapons that can operate across multiple combat scenarios.
The ULPGM-V3 is designed to provide precision attack capability for UAVs operating in modern battlefield conditions. Such systems are becoming increasingly important as militaries worldwide expand the role of drones in reconnaissance, surveillance, and offensive operations. By integrating precision-guided missiles with unmanned platforms, armed forces can carry out strikes with reduced risk to personnel while maintaining high operational effectiveness.
The Air-to-Ground mode is expected to enhance the capability of Indian UAVs to neutralize enemy positions, bunkers, light armoured targets, and other battlefield threats with precision. Meanwhile, the Air-to-Air capability could potentially enable drones to engage hostile aerial targets, including enemy drones and low-flying threats.
The successful trials come at a time when India is rapidly investing in indigenous defence technologies under the government’s push for self-reliance in the defence sector. Over the past few years, DRDO has accelerated the development of advanced missiles, loitering munitions, and autonomous combat systems aimed at strengthening the operational capabilities of the Indian Armed Forces.
The successful testing of the ULPGM-V3 is therefore seen as another important step in India’s journey toward building a robust indigenous unmanned combat ecosystem. DRDO has partnered with two production agencies – Bharat Dynamics Limited, Hyderabad and Adani Defence Systems & Technologies Limited, Hyderabad – for the development and production of the missiles. The system has been integrated on UAVs developed by Newspace Research and Technologies, Bengaluru for current trials.
