New Delhi: India’s defence capabilities received a significant boost after the Defence Research and Development Organisation successfully carried out developmental trials of its latest drone-launched precision missile system, marking an important step in the country’s push for indigenous military technology.
Officials confirmed on Wednesday that the final deliverable version of the UAV-Launched Precision Guided Missile, known as ULPGM-V3, was tested in both air-to-ground and air-to-air combat scenarios. The exercises were conducted at a DRDO testing facility near Kurnool.
According to defence officials, the trials evaluated the missile’s ability to engage ground-based targets, including armoured threats, as well as airborne objects such as drones and helicopters. The tests were managed through an advanced Ground Control System designed to streamline operational readiness, targeting and launch procedures.
The missile programme has been spearheaded by Research Centre Imarat in collaboration with several DRDO laboratories, including the Defence Research and Development Laboratory, Terminal Ballistics Research Laboratory and High Energy Materials Research Laboratory.
For the latest trials, the missile system was integrated with unmanned aerial vehicles developed by Newspace Research and Technologies. Production support for the programme has come from Bharat Dynamics Limited and Adani Defence Systems and Technologies Limited, along with contributions from several micro, small and medium enterprises across the country.
Officials stated that the successful testing phase demonstrated the readiness of an entirely domestic manufacturing network capable of supporting large-scale production in the near future. The project is being viewed as another milestone in India’s effort to reduce dependence on imported defence systems.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh praised the scientists, engineers and industry partners associated with the programme, describing the achievement as a major advancement in India’s self-reliance mission in the defence sector. He highlighted the missile’s versatility in tackling both armoured and aerial threats.
Samir V Kamat, who also serves as Secretary of the Department of Defence Research and Development, congratulated the teams involved in the project and acknowledged the coordinated efforts of research laboratories and industrial partners that contributed to the successful trials.
