Modern warfare now demands faster, smarter, and fully indigenous weapon systems. India has taken another strong step in that direction.

The Defence Research and Development Organisation successfully completed final configuration trials of the ULPGM-V3 missile near Kurnool, Andhra Pradesh.

The advanced missile performed effectively in both Air-to-Ground and Air-to-Air combat modes.

DRDO conducted the trials using an integrated Ground Control System. The system managed command, control, readiness, and launch operations with high automation.

As a result, the testing process became faster and more efficient. Moreover, the trials validated the missile’s operational flexibility across multiple combat situations.

The ULPGM-V3 missile supports anti-tank operations in Air-to-Ground mode. Simultaneously, it can target drones, helicopters, and airborne threats in Air-to-Air mode.

Therefore, the weapon adds greater tactical value to India’s growing unmanned warfare capabilities.

Research Centre Imarat, Hyderabad, led the missile’s development programme. In addition, several DRDO laboratories contributed critical technologies.

These included Defence Research and Development Laboratory, Hyderabad, Terminal Ballistics Research Laboratory, Chandigarh, and High Energy Materials Research Laboratory, Pune.

Their combined efforts strengthened the missile’s precision, stability, and combat performance.

Furthermore, DRDO partnered with Bharat Dynamics Limited and Adani Defence Systems & Technologies Limited for production activities.

Both Hyderabad-based companies will support large-scale manufacturing. Meanwhile, Newspace Research and Technologies, Bengaluru, integrated the missile system onto indigenous UAV platforms used during the trials.

Importantly, the project relied entirely on India’s domestic defence ecosystem. Several MSMEs and private industries supplied components and technical support.

Consequently, the trials also confirmed the maturity of India’s local defence supply chain. Officials now consider the system ready for immediate serial production.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh praised DRDO, defence public sector units, and industry partners after the successful trials.

He described the achievement as a major milestone for Aatmanirbharta in defence manufacturing.

Additionally, he highlighted the missile’s importance in strengthening India’s future battlefield preparedness.

The successful ULPGM-V3 trials underline India’s growing confidence in indigenous defence innovation.

More importantly, they reflect the country’s push toward self-reliance in advanced military technology.

Image Credit: Ank Kumar, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Image Reference: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:D.R.D.O_AKASH_Surface_to_Air_Missile_Weapon_System_model,_National_Military_Memorial,_Bengaluru,_India_(Ank_Kumar,_Infosys_Limited)_01.jpg