India Successfully Tests UAV-Launched Precision Guided Missile ULPGM-V3 in Andhra Pradesh

New Delhi – In a major step forward for India's indigenous defence development, the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) successfully conducted flight trials of the UAV-Launched Precision Guided Missile (ULPGM)-V3 on Friday at the National Open Area Range (NOAR) in Kurnool, Andhra Pradesh.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh announced the achievement on social media platform X, stating:

“In a major boost to India’s defence capabilities, @DRDO_India has successfully carried out flight trials of UAV-Launched Precision Guided Missile (ULPGM)-V3 at the National Open Area Range (NOAR) in Kurnool, Andhra Pradesh. Congratulations to DRDO and its industry partners, DcPPs, MSMEs, and start-ups for the successful development and testing of the ULPGM-V3 system. This success shows that India’s defence industry is now capable of absorbing and producing critical defence technologies.”

While the exact technical details of the ULPGM-V3 remain classified, the missile represents the next stage in India’s ongoing advancement in precision-guided weapons. The V2 variant, developed earlier by DRDO’s Terminal Ballistics Research Laboratory (TBRL), incorporated multiple warhead options and laid the foundation for more advanced iterations.

The latest V3 version, introduced during Aero India 2025, is believed to feature cutting-edge upgrades such as imaging infrared (IIR) seekers and a dual-thrust propulsion system, enhancing range, accuracy, and strike efficiency from unmanned aerial platforms.

ULPGMs are designed to be lightweight, highly accurate, and compatible with various drones and UAVs, providing India with enhanced flexibility for precision strikes in dynamic combat environments.

The selection of NOAR in Kurnool for the testing reflects DRDO’s ongoing efforts to validate advanced technologies at this state-of-the-art facility. NOAR has recently hosted successful trials of high-energy laser-based Directed Energy Weapons (DEWs), capable of neutralising fixed-wing UAVs and drone swarms — a testament to India’s expanding capabilities in modern warfare.

This successful test underscores India's commitment to self-reliance in critical defence technologies, driven by DRDO’s collaboration with private firms, MSMEs, and start-ups under the national 'Aatmanirbhar Bharat' initiative.

With inputs from IANS