- By Chetna Shree
- Fri, 25 Jul 2025 12:52 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) successfully carried out the flight trials of UAV Launched Precision Guided Missile (ULPGM)-V3 at the National Open Area Range (NOAR), test range in Kurnool, Andhra Pradesh. The Defence Minister, Rajnath Singh, took to X to hail the DRDO and called the trials a ‘major boost’ for India’s military capabilities.
“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 in the National Open Area Range (NOAR), test range in Kurnool, Andhra Pradesh. 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," the Defence Minister posted on X.
"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 in the National Open Area Range (NOAR), test range in Kurnool, Andhra Pradesh. Congratulations to DRDO and the industry… pic.twitter.com/bbqCBDLey6
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) July 25, 2025
Earlier, the ULPGM-V2 was developed by DRDO’s Terminal Ballistics Research Laboratory (TRBL), which featured multiple warhead configurations. The upgrade towards UAV-launched precision-guided missiles includes significant enhancements such as imaging infrared (IIR) seekers and dual-thrust propulsion systems in the V3 variant. ULPGM systems are designed to be lightweight, precise and compatible with various aerial platforms, providing strategic flexibility in combat environments.
The successful trial conducted at a test range in Andhra Pradesh reflects India’s growing focus on unmanned precision strike capabilities in collaborative efforts between DRDO, private industry and MSME. Additionally, the choice of the NOAR in Kurnool for the trial of ULPGM-V3 is consistent with DRDO’s strategy of using the facility to validate cutting-edge technologies. The NOAR successfully hosted trials of high-energy laser-based Directed Energy Weapons (DEWs), including systems that neutralised fixed-wing UAVs and swarm drones, demonstrating India's expanding high-tech testing infrastructure.
(With Agency Inputs)