DRDO’s New ULPGM-V3 Missile Gives Indian Drones Deadly Strike Power
India’s drone ecosystem just took a huge leap forward — and as a company heavily invested in the future of unmanned tech, this is exactly the kind of innovation we love to see.
India’s defence ecosystem has delivered the ULPGM-V3, an indigenous UAV-launched precision guided missile that has successfully completed final trials – a defining moment for the country’s drone and autonomous systems industry. The missile was tested at the DRDO range near Kurnool in Andhra Pradesh and proved its capability to hit ground targets like tanks as well as aerial targets like enemy drones and helicopters.
And that’s why this development is so important: drones are no longer just flying cameras or surveillance platforms. They are rapidly evolving into intelligent precision-enabled combat systems capable of altering the face of modern warfare.
The ULPGM-V3 — UAV Launched Precision Guided Missile Version 3 — was developed by DRDO’s Research Centre Imarat, in coordination with a number of Indian defence laboratories. The missile was integrated with a drone developed by Bengaluru-based Newspace Research and Technologies, highlighting how India’s private drone innovators are now helping to power the country’s advanced defence capabilities.
Even more impressive is the level of automation behind the system. The missile platform is handled by an advanced Ground Control System, built for minimum manual intervention in maintaining launch readiness and operations. This is indicative of a wider global trend in drone innovation – autonomous systems that can react quicker, operate more intelligently and support mission-critical decisions in real-time.
That’s the face of drone innovation.
The trials also proved something equally critical for India’s technology future: the system is fully ready for serial production with a mature domestic supply chain already in place. The production partners, including Bharat Dynamics Limited and Adani Defence Systems & Technologies Limited, underscore the burgeoning partnership between the public and private industry in building advanced indigenous capabilities.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh rightly described the achievement as a major milestone under the Aatmanirbhar Bharat mission. Indigenous drone weapon systems of this scale show that India is not just joining the global drone revolution, it is leading it.
From logistics and infrastructure inspection to agriculture, disaster response, and now next-generation precision defence systems, drones are redefining what is possible around the world. The pace of progress is incredible and the ULPGM-V3 is another reminder that the sky is no longer the limit.
As a drone technology company, we view developments like this as a peek into the future of autonomous aviation. smarter drones, intelligent payloads, AI-enabled operations and fully integrated unmanned eco-systems are becoming a reality faster than ever before.
CEO, Mavdrones
Pradipta V Mukherjee is the visionary CEO of Mavdrones & Drone Pathshala, driving innovation and growth in the drone industry. With a passion for advanced technology, he leads the company's strategic direction, ensuring Mavdrones stays at the forefront of drone solutions. Under his leadership, Mavdrones has achieved remarkable success, including winning the 'Best Innovation and Technology in Drone Industry' award from ASSOCHAM. Pradipta is committed to revolutionizing the industry through advanced UAV technology, fostering a culture of excellence and forward-thinking within the organization.
