India Bolsters Defense with Successful ULPGM-V3 Drone Missile Test

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In a significant stride for India’s indigenous defense capabilities, the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) successfully conducted flight trials of the Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Launched Precision Guided Missile (ULPGM)-V3 on Friday, July 25, 2025. The crucial test took place at the National Open Area Range (NOAR) in Kurnool, Andhra Pradesh, marking a notable advancement in the nation’s precision-strike capabilities.

This latest success underscores India’s commitment to developing advanced military technology domestically. The ULPGM-V3 is an enhanced version of the previously developed ULPGM-V2 missile. This upgraded variant boasts a high-definition dual-channel seeker, enabling it to engage a diverse array of targets across various terrains, including plain and high-altitude areas, with both day and night operational capabilities. Furthermore, the missile features a two-way data link, allowing for post-launch target updates, a critical feature for dynamic combat scenarios.

The ULPGM-V3 comes equipped with three modular warhead options: an anti-armor warhead designed to neutralize modern armored vehicles with Rolled Homogeneous Armor (RHA) and Explosive Reactive Armor (ERA); a penetration-cum-blast warhead for anti-bunker applications; and a pre-fragmentation warhead with a high lethality zone. The recent trials specifically focused on the anti-armor configuration.

An important aspect of this achievement is the collaborative effort behind it. The missile was released from an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) that was indigenously developed by Newspace Research Technologies, a Bengaluru-based Indian start-up. The DRDO is actively working to integrate ULPGM weapons with long-range and high-endurance UAVs from several other Indian companies. This project saw significant contributions from Development cum Production Partners (DcPPs) like Adani Defence and Bharat Dynamics Limited, Hyderabad, alongside more than 30 Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) and start-ups.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh commended the DRDO and its industry partners, stating that the success “proves that the Indian industry is now ready to absorb and produce critical Defence Technologies.” This development signifies a robust step towards greater self-reliance in military hardware, enhancing India’s strategic autonomy and operational flexibility in a complex security environment. The continued focus on drone-launched precision munitions is a clear indicator of evolving modern warfare strategies.