In a boost to 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.
In a post on X, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh announced the achievement, “In a major boost to India’s defence capabilities, DRDO has successfully carried out flight trials of UAV Launched Precision Guided Missile (ULPGM)-V3 in the National Open Area Range (NOAR), test range in Kurnool, Andhra Pradesh. Congratulations to DRDO and the industry partners, DcPPs, MSMEs and Start-ups for the development and successful trials of the ULPGM-V3 system. This success proves that the Indian industry is now ready to absorb and produce critical Defence Technologies.”
While detailed specifications of the ULPGM-V3 remain classified, its development reflects a strategic progression in India’s guided missile programme. The earlier ULPGM-V2, developed by DRDO’s Terminal Ballistics Research Laboratory (TBRL), featured multiple warhead configurations. The V3 variant, believed to incorporate advanced features such as imaging infrared (IIR) seekers and dual-thrust propulsion systems, builds on this legacy and was previewed during Aero India 2025.
The successful trial underscores India’s growing emphasis on unmanned precision-strike capabilities – an essential element of modern warfare. ULPGM systems are designed to be lightweight, highly accurate, and compatible with a range of aerial platforms, offering critical operational flexibility in dynamic combat environments.
The choice of NOAR in Kurnool for the trial aligns with DRDO’s strategy of leveraging this facility to test advanced technologies. In recent months, the range has hosted successful trials of high-energy laser-based Directed Energy Weapons (DEWs), including systems that neutralized fixed-wing UAVs and swarm drones – highlighting India’s expanding high-tech defence testing infrastructure.
(IANS)