India on Thursday successfully tested the upgraded version of a precision-guided missile launched from an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), marking a key milestone in the country’s push for indigenous defence technologies.
The flight trials of the third-generation Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Launched Precision Guided Missile (ULPGM-V3) were conducted by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) at the National Open Area Range in Kurnool, Andhra Pradesh.
The missile, designed to engage a wide variety of targets in both plain and high-altitude regions, was fired from a UAV developed by Indian start-up Newspace Research Technologies.
Defence minister Rajnath Singh called the successful launch of the UAV-Launched Precision Guided Missile (ULPGM-V3) a “significant boost to India’s defence capabilities.”
“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,” defence minister Rajnath Singh wrote on X (formerly Twitter).
The system was developed by DRDO in collaboration with several of its labs, including RCI, DRDL, TBRL, HEMRL, ITR and DLRL.
{{/usCountry}}The system was developed by DRDO in collaboration with several of its labs, including RCI, DRDL, TBRL, HEMRL, ITR and DLRL.
{{/usCountry}}Private sector firms such as Adani Defence and Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL) participated as development-cum-production partners. Over 30 Indian start-ups and MSMEs also contributed to various components of the missile.
Here are the key highlights of ULPGM-V3:
- Upgraded guidance system: The missile is equipped with a high-definition dual-channel seeker. This allows it to lock onto targets with greater accuracy and perform in both day and night conditions.
- Two-way data link: It supports mid-course corrections through a secure two-way data link. This feature enables operators to update the missile’s target coordinates even after launch.
- Multiple warhead types: The ULPGM-V3 comes with three modular warhead configurations. These include an anti-armour version for penetrating tanks, a penetration-cum-blast warhead for bunkers, and a pre-fragmented warhead for soft targets.
- High-altitude and plain terrain use: Designed to function effectively across a wide range of terrains, the missile can engage targets in both high-altitude zones and flat ground conditions.