DRDO Successfully Tests Extended-Range ULPGM-V3 Missile From UAV at NOAR Kurnool, Andhra Pradesh

Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has successfully conducted flight trials of the UAV-Launched Precision Guided Missile V3 (ULPGM-V3) at the National Open Area Range (NOAR) in Kurnool, Andhra Pradesh.

The missile, also known in its extended-range configuration as ULM-ER, marks the latest evolution in India’s indigenous drone-launched weapon systems. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh congratulated the DRDO and associated industry partners for the achievement, stating, “This successful trial reaffirms that Indian industry is ready to absorb and produce critical defence technologies.”

A New Chapter in India's Unmanned Warfare

The ULPGM-V3 is a high-precision air-to-surface missile launched from unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). Developed by DRDO’s Research Centre Imarat (RCI), it is designed for quick, accurate strikes on static and moving ground targets such as bunkers, command posts, vehicles, and insurgent hideouts.

The V3 variant brings several improvements over its predecessors — the baseline V1 and the operational V2 — including longer range, improved seeker technology, and multiple warhead configurations. These upgrades allow for deployment in a variety of operational environments, from high-altitude conflict zones to dense urban terrain.

Specifications and Capabilities of ULPGM-V3 (ULM-ER)

The missile’s fire-and-forget capability combined with imaging infrared guidance ensures that once launched, it can autonomously track and strike targets without further input from operators. The addition of a two-way datalink gives operators the option to reassign or abort missions mid-flight, offering unmatched battlefield flexibility.

Industry Partnerships and Future Prospects

The development of the ULPGM series represents a powerful collaboration between DRDO and Indian private and public sector industries. Adani Defence and Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL) have been identified as the key industrial partners for the production phase, with BDL expected to lead integration and series manufacturing once user trials are complete.

This successful test also validates technologies showcased earlier this year at Aero India 2025, where the ULPGM-V3 (ULM-ER) was displayed to the public for the first time, signaling DRDO’s growing confidence in the system’s maturity.

Strategic Significance

With the operationalization of ULPGM-V3, India is positioning itself among a handful of nations with domestically developed drone-launched guided munitions. This is particularly vital for surgical strike operations, counter-terror missions, and high-risk engagements across the Line of Control (LoC) or Line of Actual Control (LAC), where unmanned systems provide standoff advantage without risking soldier lives.

The modularity of warheads, coupled with the ability to function in low-visibility conditions, makes the V3 highly effective for use in challenging terrain such as mountains, deserts, and dense forest zones—where terrorist hideouts or enemy outposts may be difficult to reach.

The successful flight trial of the ULPGM-V3 underscores India’s rapid advancement in precision strike capabilities using UAVs. As global warfare trends shift towards unmanned and smart weapon platforms, India is asserting its place with a growing suite of indigenous technologies that combine accuracy, lethality, and strategic depth.

With production set to ramp up through public-private partnerships and user trials expected to begin soon, the ULPGM-V3 may soon become a central pillar in India’s evolving doctrine of remote, high-precision counter-force operations.