DRDO Completes Final Trials of Indigenous ULPGM-V3 UAV Missile: A Landmark in India's Aatmanirbhar Defence

Detailed Summary

India's Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) successfully completed the final development trials of the Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Launched Precision Guided Missile (ULPGM)-V3 on May 18 and 19, 2026. The trials were conducted at the National Open Area Range (NOAR) near Kurnool in Andhra Pradesh. The missile was tested in both Air-to-Ground and Air-to-Air combat modes, demonstrating the ability to destroy ground-based targets with precision and intercept aerial threats including simulated drones. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh praised the achievement as a strategic milestone towards 'Aatmanirbharta' (self-reliance) in defence, congratulating DRDO, public sector undertakings, MSMEs, and industry stakeholders. The missile is now ready for mass production, with a fully mature domestic supply chain in place.

Historical Background

India's missile development programme has evolved significantly since the launch of the Integrated Guided Missile Development Programme (IGMDP) in 1983 under the leadership of Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam. The IGMDP gave birth to iconic missile systems like Agni, Prithvi, Trishul, Akash, and Nag. The ULPGM programme represents the next generation of precision-guided munitions specifically designed for unmanned aerial platforms. The earlier version, ULPGM-V2, was developed by the Terminal Ballistics Research Laboratory (TBRL), Chandigarh. The ULPGM-V3 is an upgraded and more advanced variant designed for dual-mode engagement.

Key Highlights

• Missile Name: ULPGM-V3 (Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Launched Precision Guided Missile, Version 3)
• Also called: ULM-ER (Unmanned Launch Munition – Extended Range)
• Test Range: National Open Area Range (NOAR), Kurnool, Andhra Pradesh
• Test Dates: May 18 and 19, 2026
• Modes Tested: Air-to-Ground and Air-to-Air
• UAV Partner: Newspace Research and Technologies, Bengaluru
• Production Partners: Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL) and Adani Defence Systems and Technologies Limited, both in Hyderabad
• Seeker Type: Imaging Infrared (IIR) Seeker — enables day and night precision targeting
• Capability: Fire-and-forget, dual-mode precision engagement

Important Facts

Ministries Involved

• Ministry of Defence, Government of India
• Department of Defence Research and Development (DDR&D)

Important Personalities

• Rajnath Singh — Union Minister of Defence
• Dr. Samir V. Kamat — Chairman, DRDO and Secretary, Department of Defence R&D

Organisations and Headquarters

Important Terms and Definitions

• Precision Guided Missile (PGM): A missile equipped with guidance systems to accurately hit a specific target with minimal collateral damage.
• Imaging Infrared (IIR) Seeker: A homing technology that uses thermal infrared imaging to detect and lock onto targets in both day and night conditions.
• Fire-and-Forget: A missile capability where the weapon autonomously guides itself to the target after launch, requiring no further input from the operator.
• UAV (Unmanned Aerial Vehicle): An aircraft that operates without a human pilot on board, controlled remotely or autonomously.
• NOAR (National Open Area Range): A DRDO test facility located near Kurnool, Andhra Pradesh, used for missile and weapons testing.
• Aatmanirbharta: A Hindi term meaning self-reliance; refers to India's policy of becoming self-sufficient in defence manufacturing and reducing dependence on imports.

Why Important for TNPSC

This news is important for TNPSC Group 1, Group 2, Group 2A, Group 4, and VAO examinations under the topics of Science and Technology, Defence, and Current Events. Missile development tests, DRDO achievements, and India's defence indigenisation are regularly featured in competitive exams. The ULPGM-V3 represents India's cutting-edge drone warfare capabilities — a topic that is increasingly relevant for contemporary military science questions. Additionally, this relates to the 'Aatmanirbhar Bharat' initiative, which is a key policy topic for all state and central government exams.

Important Acts and Schemes

• Aatmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan — Self-Reliance in Defence Manufacturing
• Integrated Guided Missile Development Programme (IGMDP) — launched 1983
• Defence Acquisition Procedure (DAP) 2020 — promotes indigenous defence procurement
• DRDO Technology Development Fund — supports MSMEs and startups in defence R&D

Related Static GK

• DRDO was established in 1958
• India's first indigenously developed missile under IGMDP: Trishul (Surface-to-Air)
• Research Centre Imarat (RCI) is famous for developing Astra (Beyond Visual Range Air-to-Air Missile)
• BrahMos is a joint venture between India (DRDO/BDL) and Russia — world's fastest supersonic cruise missile
• India became the 4th country to demonstrate Anti-Satellite (ASAT) capability in Mission Shakti (2019)

Timeline / Previous Developments

• 1983: IGMDP launched under Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam
• 2014: Astra missile system development completed by RCI Hyderabad
• 2023: ULPGM-V2 flight tests conducted at Kurnool
• July 2025: Earlier flight trials of ULPGM-V3 announced by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh
• May 18–19, 2026: Final development trials of ULPGM-V3 in air-to-ground and air-to-air modes
• May 19, 2026: Ministry of Defence announces successful completion of final trials; missile ready for mass production

Exam-Oriented Notes

• ULPGM-V3 = Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Launched Precision Guided Missile Version 3
• Also known as ULM-ER (Extended Range)
• Tested at NOAR — National Open Area Range, Kurnool, Andhra Pradesh
• Nodal lab: Research Centre Imarat (RCI), Hyderabad
• UAV used: From Newspace Research and Technologies, Bengaluru
• Features: IIR seeker, dual warhead options, fire-and-forget capability
• This is India's first mature UAV-launched precision missile ready for mass serial production

Memorization Points

• U = Unmanned, L = Launched, P = Precision, G = Guided, M = Missile, V3 = Version 3
• NOAR is in Kurnool — not to be confused with ITR (Integrated Test Range) in Chandipur, Odisha
• RCI Hyderabad is the nodal lab — not TBRL Chandigarh
• BDL and Adani Defence — production partners
• Rajnath Singh lauded it as Aatmanirbharta milestone

MCQ Practice Questions

Q1. Where were the final development trials of ULPGM-V3 conducted in May 2026?

a) Pokhran, Rajasthan

b) Chandipur, Odisha

c) NOAR, Kurnool, Andhra Pradesh

d) Sriharikota, Tamil Nadu

Answer: c) NOAR, Kurnool, Andhra Pradesh

Explanation: The National Open Area Range (NOAR) near Kurnool in Andhra Pradesh is DRDO's dedicated missile testing facility where the ULPGM-V3 was tested on May 18 and 19, 2026.

Q2. Which DRDO laboratory served as the nodal lab for the development of ULPGM-V3?

a) Terminal Ballistics Research Laboratory, Chandigarh

b) Research Centre Imarat, Hyderabad

c) High Energy Materials Research Laboratory, Pune

d) Defence Electronics Research Laboratory, Hyderabad

Answer: b) Research Centre Imarat, Hyderabad

Explanation: Research Centre Imarat (RCI) in Hyderabad was the nodal laboratory that led the development of ULPGM-V3 in collaboration with other DRDO labs.

Q3. ULPGM-V3 is equipped with which type of seeker for precision targeting in both day and night conditions?

a) Radio Frequency (RF) Seeker

b) Laser Seeker

c) Imaging Infrared (IIR) Seeker

d) GPS-guided Seeker

Answer: c) Imaging Infrared (IIR) Seeker

Explanation: The ULPGM-V3 uses an Imaging Infrared (IIR) seeker that enables passive homing and accurate engagement of targets in both day and night conditions, making it a true fire-and-forget missile.