India Tests UAV-Launched Precision Guided Missile-V3

In a significant boost to India’s defence capabilities, the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has successfully conducted flight trials of the UAV-Launched Precision Guided Missile (ULPGM)-V3. The test was carried out at the National Open Area Range (NOAR) in Kurnool, Andhra Pradesh, marking another milestone in India’s push for indigenous precision strike systems.

DRDO confirmed the success on social media, calling it a “major boost” for India’s military strength. The test showcased the V3 variant, an enhanced version of the earlier ULPGM-V2, developed by DRDO’s Terminal Ballistics Research Laboratory (TBRL).

A Weapon Tailored for Modern Warfare

The ULPGM‑V3 weighs just 12.5 kg, making it compatible with lightweight drones such as Rustom and TAPAS‑BH. Despite its compact size, the missile packs serious clout:

• Daytime range: up to 4 km; night range: about 2.5 km with dual-thrust solid propulsion.

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• Precision seeker: Imaging infrared (IIR) enabling day/night autonomous target acquisition.

• Two-way data link: Mid-course corrections and real-time target updates.

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• Modular warheads: Anti-armor, bunker-penetration, and pre-fragmentation options for diverse mission needs.

The weapon was launched from a drone developed by Newspace Research Technologies, a Bengaluru-based startup, reflecting the synergy between DRDO, start-ups, and MSMEs in India’s defence manufacturing ecosystem.

DRDO + Industry: A Stronger Defence Backbone

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh congratulated DRDO and its partners, including industry collaborators, DcPPs, MSMEs, and start-ups, for the successful trial. He hailed the test as proof that Indian industry is ready to absorb and produce complex defence technologies.

This success is part of a broader wave of indigenous defence initiatives. DRDO has also transferred technologies of nine key systems to ten industries, strengthening India’s production capacity.

Key systems under development or testing include:

• Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS)

• Runway Independent RPAS

• Loitering Munitions

• Precision Multi Munition Delivery Systems

• Integrated Drone Detection & Interdiction Systems

• Low Level Light Weight Radars

• VSHORADS (Next Gen) IR Systems

• Electronic Warfare Platforms

The Bigger Picture: Indigenous Firepower Post-Operation Sindoor

India’s focus on homegrown military solutions has intensified post Operation Sindoor—the surgical airstrikes following the Pahalgam terror attack in April 2025. Precision weaponry like ULPGM and Astra missiles were reportedly used during the operation, reinforcing the need for indigenous control over critical strike platforms.

Earlier this month, DRDO and the Indian Air Force successfully conducted a test of the Astra Beyond Visual Range Air-to-Air Missile, equipped with an indigenous Radio Frequency seeker, launched from a Su-30 MKI.

The successful ULPGM-V3 test fits seamlessly into this pattern: autonomous, flexible, and pinpoint-accurate systems that can be rapidly deployed, especially in challenging terrain or conflict zones.

The Future Is Indigenous, The Future Is Now

ULPGM-V3 isn’t just another missile, it’s a symbol of strategic self-reliance. With India’s adversaries rapidly modernizing their arsenal, the need for autonomous, precision-guided, drone-launched firepower is no longer optional, it’s essential.

As India pushes forward in the age of drone warfare and smart munition. The successful test of ULPGM-V3 marks a decisive step toward battlefield dominance, built, tested, and perfected in Bharat.