The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has successfully conducted flight trials of the UAV-Launched Precision Guided Missile (ULPGM‑V3). Launched from an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), the missile was tested at the National Open Area Range (NOAR) near Kurnool, Andhra Pradesh, marking a major milestone for India’s indigenous drone-launch capabilities
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh announced the test, highlighting the strategic importance of this unmanned precision weapon system in strengthening India’s defense posture
How the Drone-Launched Missile Works
The ULPGM‑V3 is designed for UAV deployment, enabling high-accuracy strikes with minimal human intervention. Its key features include:
- Precision guidance to engage specific targets with minimal collateral damage
- Seamless UAV integration for enhanced operational flexibility
- Short-range precision strike capability for tactical use The Times of India
This marks one of DRDO’s first successful launches of a missile designed explicitly for drone deployment.
Strategic Importance of DRDO’s Drone-Launched Missile
The successful test of the drone-launched missile DRDO underlines multiple strategic advantages:
- Enhanced operational reach: Drones equipped with precision missiles can strike from lower altitudes and variable locations.
- Reduced risk to personnel: UAV-deployed systems remove the need for manned launch platforms.
- Flexibility in mission planning: The system is suited for surveillance-linked strikes and responsive engagements.
This capability offers a significant edge in modern warfare scenarios involving both symmetrical and asymmetric threats.
India’s Broader Indigenous Missile Progress
The ULPGM‑V3 test aligns with a long list of recent indigenous defense achievements:
- The VLSRSAM (Vertical Launch Short-Range Surface-to-Air Missile), tested in March 2025 off the Odisha coast, hit a high-speed low-altitude target, showcasing agile near-boundary interception using India-developed radar and guidance systems
- Earlier tests include the VSHORADS man-portable missile system and the Akash‑NG medium-range missile, both featuring indigenous RF seekers against aerial targets
These developments reflect India’s push for thermonuclear strategic independence through advanced missile technologies.
What’s Next for the Drone-Launched Missile Program?
While DRDO has not disclosed the exact deployment timeline, the ULPGM‑V3 trial reflects India’s ambition to integrate drone-launched missiles into active service. This would bolster capabilities in surveillance-linked strikes, border monitoring, and remote precision targeting.
As the system matures, integration with India’s Make in India defense framework and UAV fleet will likely follow.
Summary
India’s DRDO has successfully test-fired the ULPGM‑V3, an indigenous drone-launched missile, signaling a leap forward in precision-guided warfare using unmanned platforms. With enhanced accuracy, lower operational risk, and increased flexibility, this capability strengthens India’s strategic autonomy in missile deployment.
