DRDO Completes UAV-Launched PGM Trials

Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Launched Precision Guided Missile (ULPGM)-V3 trials | Photo: Indian Ministry of Defence

India’s Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has completed final development trials of the Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Launched Precision Guided Missile (ULPGM)-V3 in both Air-to-Ground and Air-to-Air modes at the DRDO test range near Kurnool in Andhra Pradesh.

According to the Ministry of Defence, the trials were conducted using an integrated Ground Control System (GCS) designed to command and control the missile system. The system is intended to automate readiness and launch operations.

The ULPGM-V3 was tested for different operational roles, including anti-tank missions in Air-to-Ground mode and engagements involving drones, helicopters and other airborne targets in Air-to-Air mode.

DRDO has partnered with Bharat Dynamics Limited and Adani Defence Systems & Technologies Limited for missile development and production. During the trials, the missile system was integrated on unmanned aerial vehicles developed by Newspace Research and Technologies, Bengaluru.

Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Launched Precision Guided Missile (ULPGM)-V3 trials | Photo: Indian Ministry of Defence

The missile programme was led by Research Centre Imarat (RCI), Hyderabad, with contributions from other DRDO laboratories including Defence Research & Development Laboratory (DRDL), Hyderabad, Terminal Ballistics Research Laboratory (TBRL), Chandigarh, and High Energy Materials Research Laboratory (HEMRL), Pune.

The Ministry of Defence stated that the missile system was produced through domestic defence industry participation, involving MSMEs and other companies.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said the programme represented “a strategic milestone achieved towards Aatmanirbharta in Defence.”