Precision-Guided Missile Successfully Tested in Both Air-to-Ground and Air-to-Air Combat Modes
New Delhi : In a major achievement for India’s indigenous defence capabilities and the government’s Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiative, the Defence Research and Development Organisation successfully completed the final deliverable configuration development trials of the Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Launched Precision Guided Missile-V3 (ULPGM-V3).
The trials were conducted in both Air-to-Ground and Air-to-Air operational modes at the DRDO test range near Kurnool in Andhra Pradesh.
According to DRDO, the trials were carried out using an advanced integrated Ground Control System (GCS), which was used for command and control of the ULPGM weapon system. The Ground Control System incorporates state-of-the-art technologies that automate operational readiness and missile launch functions.
The ULPGM-V3 missile has been developed by Research Centre Imarat in Hyderabad as the nodal laboratory, in collaboration with other DRDO laboratories including Defence Research and Development Laboratory, Terminal Ballistics Research Laboratory and High Energy Materials Research Laboratory.
For the production and development of the missile system, DRDO partnered with Bharat Dynamics Limited and Adani Defence Systems & Technologies Limited, both based in Hyderabad.
The missile system was integrated on Unmanned Aerial Vehicles developed by Newspace Research and Technologies, Bengaluru, for the ongoing trials.
Officials stated that the ULPGM-V3 missile has been manufactured entirely through India’s domestic defence ecosystem involving several MSMEs and private industries. The successful trials also confirmed the maturity of the indigenous supply chain, paving the way for immediate serial mass production of the missile system.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh congratulated DRDO, defence public sector undertakings, production partners and industry stakeholders for the successful development trials of the ULPGM-V3 missile in both Air-to-Ground anti-tank operations and Air-to-Air combat roles against drones, helicopters and other airborne targets.
He described the achievement as a major strategic milestone toward achieving self-reliance in India’s defence manufacturing sector.
Secretary, Department of Defence Research and Development and Chairman of DRDO, Samir V Kamat, also congratulated all teams associated with the successful trials and praised their contribution to strengthening India’s indigenous defence technology capabilities.
