DRDO successfully completes trials of indigenous UAV missile in air-to-ground and air-to-air modes

The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has 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, marking a major milestone for India’s indigenous defence capabilities and the Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiative.

The trials were conducted at the DRDO test range near Kurnool using an integrated Ground Control System (GCS) designed to command and control the ULPGM weapon system. According to DRDO, the system incorporates advanced technologies to automate readiness and launch operations.

The ULPGM-V3 missile has been developed primarily for anti-tank operations in air-to-ground mode, while also demonstrating capability against drones, helicopters and other airborne targets in air-to-air mode.

DRDO said the missile system has been integrated with unmanned aerial vehicles developed by NewSpace Research and Technologies, based in Bengaluru, for the current set of trials.

The missile was developed by Research Centre Imarat as the nodal laboratory, in collaboration with other DRDO laboratories including Defence Research and Development Laboratory, Terminal Ballistics Research Laboratory and High Energy Materials Research Laboratory.

For production and manufacturing, DRDO has partnered with Bharat Dynamics Limited and Adani Defence & Aerospace.

The Ministry of Defence (MoD) said the missile has been produced entirely within India’s domestic defence ecosystem with the participation of multiple MSMEs and industrial partners. The successful trials also validated a fully mature indigenous supply chain capable of supporting immediate serial mass production.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh congratulated DRDO, public sector undertakings, industry partners and production agencies for the successful trials. He described the achievement as a “strategic milestone” in strengthening India’s self-reliance in defence manufacturing.

Department of Defence R&D Secretary and DRDO Chairman Samir V Kamat also congratulated the teams involved in the development and testing of the missile system.