The Defence Research & Development Organisation (DRDO) has successfully conducted flight trials of the upgraded Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Launched Precision Guided Missile (ULPGM)-V3. The tests were carried out at the National Open Area Range in Kurnool, Andhra Pradesh. The V3 model is an enhanced variant of the earlier ULPGM-V2.
According to DRDO, ULPGM-V3 is equipped with a high-definition dual-channel seeker and is capable of operating in both day and night conditions. It features a two-way data link enabling post-launch target or aim-point updates. The missile is designed for deployment in both plain and high-altitude terrains.
ULPGM-V3 offers three modular warhead configurations: an anti-armour warhead capable of defeating vehicles equipped with Rolled Homogeneous Armour (RHA) and Explosive Reactive Armour (ERA); a penetration-cum-blast warhead intended for anti-bunker roles; and a pre-fragmentation warhead designed to increase area lethality.
The recent tests were conducted using the anti-armour configuration. The missile was launched from a UAV developed by Bengaluru-based startup Newspace Research Technologies. The project is a collaborative effort among several DRDO laboratories, including the Research Centre Imarat (RCI), Defence Research and Development Laboratory (DRDL), Terminal Ballistics Research Laboratory (TBRL), High Energy Materials Research Laboratory (HEMRL), Integrated Test Range (ITR), and Defence Electronics Research Laboratory (DLRL).
DRDO is also working towards integrating the ULPGM system with long-range, high-endurance UAVs developed by other Indian firms. Development cum Production Partners (DcPPs) Adani Defence and Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL), along with over 30 micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) and startups, have contributed to the program.
Dr. Samir V. Kamat, Secretary of the Department of Defence R&D and Chairman, DRDO, stated that such a weapon is the need of the hour. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh also acknowledged the role of DRDO, industry partners, DcPPs, MSMEs, and startups, stating that the trial demonstrated the Indian industry’s capacity to absorb and produce advanced defence technologies.
DRDO is the Indian government’s military R&D agency. Operating under the Ministry of Defence, it oversees a wide network of laboratories and development centres across the country.