DRDO Completes Final Trials of ULPGM-V3 — India's Indigenous UAV-Launched Precision Guided Missile Achieves Breakthrough

Detailed Summary

The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) successfully completed the final deliverable configuration development trials of the ULPGM-V3 (Unmanned Aerial Vehicle-Launched Precision Guided Missile, Version 3) on May 19–20, 2026. The trials were conducted at the DRDO test range near Kurnool, Andhra Pradesh. The missile was tested in both air-to-ground (anti-tank roles) and air-to-air modes (engaging drones and helicopters). Defence Minister Rajnath Singh described the successful trials as a "strategic milestone towards Aatmanirbharta in defence." The trials confirmed a fully mature domestic supply chain ready for immediate serial mass production.

Technical Features of ULPGM-V3

Key Organisations and Partners

• Nodal Lab: Research Centre Imarat (RCI), Hyderabad, Telangana.
• Supporting Labs: DRDL (Hyderabad), TBRL (Chandigarh), HEMRL (Pune).
• Production Partners: Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL), Hyderabad; Adani Defence Systems and Technologies Limited, Hyderabad.
• UAV Developer: Newspace Research and Technologies, Bengaluru.

Timeline — ULPGM Development

• ULPGM-V2: Earlier version tested in anti-armour roles; delivered to armed forces.
• ULPGM-V3 (July 2025): Flight trials for anti-armour roles at NOAR, Kurnool.
• ULPGM-V3 (May 19–20, 2026): Final development trials completed in air-to-ground and air-to-air modes.

About Aatmanirbhar Bharat in Defence

India's Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiative, launched in 2020, has a strong defence manufacturing focus. Key elements include Positive Indigenisation Lists (PIL) — lists of over 400 weapons and equipment that must be sourced domestically — and iDEX (Innovations for Defence Excellence) for startups. The ULPGM-V3 exemplifies this initiative with DRDO labs, BDL, Adani Defence, and Newspace Technologies — all Indian entities — contributing to the system.

Key Highlights

• Final trials: May 19–20, 2026 at Kurnool, Andhra Pradesh.
• Modes tested: Air-to-Ground and Air-to-Air.
• Nodal Lab: Research Centre Imarat (RCI), Hyderabad.
• Production partners: BDL and Adani Defence (both Hyderabad).
• Range: ~10 km; dual-channel HD seeker; two-way data link.
• Defence Minister: Rajnath Singh; DRDO Chairman: Dr. Samir V Kamat.

Important Terms and Definitions

• UAV (Unmanned Aerial Vehicle) — A drone; aircraft without a human pilot aboard.
• Precision Guided Missile (PGM) — A guided munition intended to hit its target precisely, reducing collateral damage.
• Dual-channel Seeker — Guidance system using two different sensors for day and night target detection.
• NOAR — National Open Area Range at Kurnool, Andhra Pradesh; DRDO's primary missile test facility.
• PIL (Positive Indigenisation List) — List of defence items mandated for domestic procurement only under Aatmanirbhar Bharat.

Constitutional and Policy Relevance

• Defence is a Union List subject (List I, Entry 1) — exclusive Parliament jurisdiction.
• Article 246 — Parliament has exclusive power to legislate on Union List subjects.
• Aatmanirbhar Bharat in defence = Policy push under Defence Acquisition Procedure (DAP) 2020.

Exam-Oriented Notes

• ULPGM = Unmanned Aerial Vehicle-Launched Precision Guided Missile.
• V3 = Version 3 — final trial May 2026.
• Test Site = Kurnool, Andhra Pradesh.
• Nodal Lab = Research Centre Imarat (RCI), Hyderabad.
• BDL = Bharat Dynamics Limited = DPSU (Defence Public Sector Undertaking).
• Defence Minister = Rajnath Singh | DRDO Chairman = Dr. Samir V Kamat.

Memorization Points

• ULPGM-V3 = UAV-Launched Precision Guided Missile V3
• Test Site = Kurnool, Andhra Pradesh (NOAR)
• Nodal Lab = RCI, Hyderabad
• Production = BDL + Adani Defence = both Hyderabad
• Range = ~10 km | Day-night capable | Two-way data link
• Aatmanirbhar Bharat = 2020 | PIL = 400+ items | iDEX = defence startups

3 TNPSC-Style MCQs

MCQ 1

Q: Where were the final development trials of ULPGM-V3 conducted in May 2026?

• A) Pokhran, Rajasthan
• B) Kurnool, Andhra Pradesh
• C) Wheeler Island, Odisha
• D) Balasore, Odisha

Answer: B) Kurnool, Andhra Pradesh

Explanation: The DRDO test range near Kurnool, Andhra Pradesh (National Open Area Range — NOAR) is where ULPGM-V3 final trials were conducted on May 19–20, 2026.

MCQ 2

Q: Which DRDO laboratory was the nodal lab for the development of ULPGM-V3?

• A) TBRL, Chandigarh
• B) DRDL, Hyderabad
• C) Research Centre Imarat (RCI), Hyderabad
• D) HEMRL, Pune

Answer: C) Research Centre Imarat (RCI), Hyderabad

Explanation: The Research Centre Imarat (RCI) in Hyderabad was the nodal DRDO laboratory for ULPGM-V3 development, working alongside DRDL, TBRL, and HEMRL.

MCQ 3

Q: ULPGM-V3 stands for:

• A) Underwater-Launched Propelled Guided Missile Version 3
• B) Unmanned Aerial Vehicle-Launched Precision Guided Missile Version 3
• C) Ultra-Long-Range Precision Ground Missile Version 3
• D) Universal Launch-Pad Guided Munition Version 3

Answer: B) Unmanned Aerial Vehicle-Launched Precision Guided Missile Version 3

Explanation: ULPGM stands for Unmanned Aerial Vehicle-Launched Precision Guided Missile. V3 refers to Version 3, the final development configuration tested in May 2026 at Kurnool, Andhra Pradesh.