DRDO Completes ULPGM-V3 Trials In Air To Ground And Air To Air Modes

The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) completed the final deliverable configuration trials of the Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Launched Precision Guided Missile (ULPGM)-V3 in air-to-ground and air-to-air modes at a test range near Kurnool, Andhra Pradesh. The trials used an integrated Ground Control System (GCS) to command and control the weapon. The GCS automates readiness and launch operations.

Two production agencies, Bharat Dynamics Limited, Hyderabad, and Adani Defence Systems and Technologies Limited, Hyderabad, have partnered with DRDO for development and production. The system was integrated on unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) from Newspace Research and Technologies, Bengaluru for the trials. Integration on indigenous UAVs demonstrated platform compatibility.

Research Centre Imarat, Hyderabad served as the nodal laboratory, supported by the Defence Research and Development Laboratory (DRDL), Hyderabad, the Terminal Ballistics Research Laboratory (TBRL), Chandigarh, and the High Energy Materials Research Laboratory (HEMRL), Pune. The missile was produced entirely through the Indian defence ecosystem, involving a large number of micro, small and medium enterprises and other industries. Trials confirmed a mature domestic supply chain capable of immediate serial mass production.

The Raksha Mantri, Rajnath Singh, acknowledged contributions from DRDO, public sector undertakings, defence production partners and industry, and framed the development as a strategic milestone towards Aatmanirbharta in defence. The capability was highlighted for anti-tank roles in air-to-ground mode and for air-to-air engagements against drones, helicopters and other airborne targets. The Secretary, Department of Defence Research and Development and Chairman DRDO, Dr Samir V Kamat, congratulated the teams involved.

Officials indicated that confirmed supply chain readiness and production agency partnerships permit immediate serial production, strengthening the industrial base for indigenous missile manufacture. The extensive involvement of small and medium enterprises was noted as evidence of a broad manufacturing ecosystem supporting defence modernisation. Integration of precision guided missiles on UAV platforms is expected to expand operational flexibility for armed formations.

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