A Strategic Milestone in Indian Defence

In a significant leap forward for India’s military capabilities, the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has successfully test-fired a precision-guided missile launched from an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) in Andhra Pradesh. Conducted at the National Open Area Range (NOAR) in Kurnool, the flight trials of the UAV Launched Precision Guided Missile (ULPGM)-V3 mark a transformative moment in India's journey toward indigenous, high-tech warfare solutions. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh hailed the achievement as a “major boost” to national defence readiness.

DRDO: Pioneering India’s Defence Innovation

Established in 1958, DRDO has been at the forefront of India’s defence research, evolving from a small organization into a robust, multi-disciplinary entity with over 50 laboratories. It has developed advanced systems in missiles, combat vehicles, electronic warfare, and more. The ULPGM-V3 is the latest in a long line of technological milestones — and it showcases how DRDO is keeping pace with next-generation warfare demands.

The system builds upon previous iterations, including the ULPGM-V2 developed by DRDO’s Terminal Ballistics Research Laboratory (TBRL), which featured modular warheads. The V3, however, brings advanced features such as imaging infrared (IIR) seekers and dual-thrust propulsion — aligning with developments unveiled at Aero India 2025.

What Makes ULPGM-V3 a Game Changer

This new missile system is designed for deployment from UAVs, offering high-precision targeting with minimal collateral damage. Its lightweight design, long-range capability, and compatibility with a variety of aerial platforms offer critical advantages in both conventional and asymmetric warfare.

Launching precision munitions from drones allows India’s military to conduct surgical strikes with minimal risk to personnel. It provides strategic flexibility — ideal for terrain where manned operations are risky or impractical. The incorporation of advanced seekers ensures lock-on-before-launch capabilities, increasing mission success rates even in GPS-denied environments.

The successful test at Kurnool’s NOAR also signals DRDO’s growing capability in testing futuristic weapons. The site has recently hosted trials of Directed Energy Weapons (DEWs) capable of neutralizing UAV swarms, indicating India’s ambition to field a diversified, tech-driven arsenal.

Private Sector: Backbone of Indigenous Capability

One of the most notable aspects of the ULPGM-V3 project is the expanding collaboration between DRDO and India’s industrial ecosystem. Over the past five years, DRDO has partnered with more than 130 companies, including MSMEs and start-ups, to co-develop and produce strategic systems. This reflects a deliberate policy shift toward self-reliance and indigenous innovation.

Such partnerships not only bring agility and innovation but also reduce dependency on foreign suppliers. With companies like Tata Steel expanding defence material production and manufacturing leaders like Sudhanshu Mani emphasizing supply chain synchronisation, India is positioning itself for long-term sustainability in defence manufacturing.

Export Ambitions and Global Outreach

The Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), through its Market Facilitation Services (MFS) initiative, is also pushing Indian defence manufacturing toward global competitiveness. By enabling Indian firms to access international markets, it strengthens the export potential of systems like ULPGM, enhancing India’s role as a responsible arms exporter.

This dual-track strategy — technological innovation at DRDO and industrial scale-up through private players — creates a strong foundation for India’s ambition to become a global defence manufacturing hub.

Sky is Not the Limit

The successful launch of ULPGM-V3 from a UAV isn’t just a weapons test — it’s a statement. It signals India’s arrival in a league of nations capable of integrating precision, autonomy, and indigenous capability into modern warfare. The achievement embodies a strategic doctrine where innovation meets self-reliance, positioning India not just as a regional power but as a credible player on the global defence stage.

With robust R&D, growing private participation, and a clear geopolitical vision, India’s defence future — quite literally — looks skyward.

(With agency inputs)