Hyderabad: India has made a big leap in defense technology. The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has successfully tested the Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Launched Precision Guided Missile, known as ULPGM-V3.
The tests were done at the National Open Area Range (NOAR) in Kurnool, Andhra Pradesh. This latest version, ULPGM-V3, is an upgrade from the ULPGM-V2, both developed by DRDO.
The ULPGM-V3 includes a high-tech dual-channel seeker, allowing it to hit various targets effectively. It works in both low and high altitudes, and can function day and night. A two-way data link lets operators adjust targets even after launch. It offers three types of warheads: an anti-armour type for modern vehicles, a penetration-cum-blast type for bunkers, and a pre-fragmentation type for a wide area impact.
The missile was created with the help of several DRDO labs including the Research Centre Imarat, Defence Research and Development Laboratory, and others. The recent tests focused on the anti-armour version.
The missile was launched from a UAV made by Newspace Research Technologies in Bengaluru, an Indian start-up. DRDO plans to integrate these missiles with advanced UAVs from other Indian firms. Key partners like Adani Defence and Bharat Dynamics Limited, plus 30 MSMEs and start-ups, played a major role in the project’s success.
Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh praised DRDO and its partners for developing the ULPGM-V3. He highlighted the achievement as evidence of India’s ability to handle advanced defense technologies.
Dr. Samir V. Kamat, head of the Department of Defence R&D and DRDO, also applauded the teams and partners. He emphasized the importance of this development for India’s defense sector.
