In a major step toward enhancing India’s indigenous defence capabilities, the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) on Friday successfully conducted flight trials of the UAV-Launched Precision Guided Missile (ULPGM)-V3 at the National Open Area Range (NOAR) in Kurnool, Andhra Pradesh.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, sharing the news on X, congratulated DRDO and its industry partners, including DcPPs, MSMEs, and start-ups. “This success proves that the Indian industry is now ready to absorb and produce critical defence technologies,” he stated.
While technical details of ULPGM-V3 remain classified, the missile is believed to build upon the features of its predecessor, ULPGM-V2, which was developed by DRDO’s Terminal Ballistics Research Laboratory (TBRL). V2 had multiple warhead configurations and was part of DRDO’s evolving focus on precision-guided, UAV-compatible munitions.
Key enhancements in the V3 variant likely include imaging infrared (IIR) seekers and dual-thrust propulsion systems—features previewed at Aero India 2025. The missile is designed to be lightweight, highly precise, and compatible with various aerial platforms, significantly boosting India’s tactical and strategic strike capabilities.
The Kurnool-based NOAR has become a hub for cutting-edge defence trials, including recent successful demonstrations of directed energy weapons and anti-drone systems.
This successful test underscores India’s growing strength in unmanned precision warfare and its ongoing pursuit of self-reliance in advanced defence technologies.
