How DRDO’s new drone-launched missile offers precision strikes, anti-drone combat capability

The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has successfully completed the final development trials of the Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Launched Prec...

What Happened

The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has successfully completed the final development trials of the Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Launched Precision Guided Missile Version 3, or ULPGM-V3.
Trials were conducted in both air-to-ground (anti-tank) and air-to-air (anti-drone, anti-helicopter) modes at the DRDO test range near Kurnool, Andhra Pradesh.
The missile demonstrated a Circular Error Probable (CEP) of 10 cm, indicating extremely high accuracy.
The ULPGM-V3 is designed to be compatible with multiple tactical UAV platforms, offering operational flexibility for the armed forces.
The successful completion of development trials marks the missile's readiness for user evaluation trials, after which it can progress towards production and induction.

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ULPGM-V3: Technical Profile

ULPGM-V3 (Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Launched Precision Guided Missile, Version 3) is a lightweight, fire-and-forget precision-guided munition developed for deployment from unmanned aerial vehicles. It is developed by Research Centre Imarat (RCI), Hyderabad — DRDO's nodal laboratory for missile seekers, guidance systems, and onboard computing — in collaboration with other DRDO labs. The missile weighs 12.5 kg and has a maximum operational strike range of 10 km (with peak-condition engagement ranges of 4 km by day and 2.5 km at night). It uses a dual-channel Imaging Infrared (IIR) seeker coupled with laser guidance for all-weather, day-night tracking.

Weight: 12.5 kg (lightweight for UAV integration)
Range: up to 10 km (operational); 4 km day / 2.5 km night effective engagement range
Guidance: Dual-channel Imaging Infrared (IIR) seeker + laser guidance
Accuracy: CEP of 10 cm
Warhead: Tandem-charge (defeats tanks with rolled homogeneous armour + explosive reactive armour) in top-attack mode
Modes: Air-to-ground (anti-tank/bunker) and air-to-air (anti-drone, anti-helicopter)
Developer: Research Centre Imarat (RCI), Hyderabad (nodal lab)
Trials location: DRDO range near Kurnool, Andhra Pradesh

Connection to this news: ULPGM-V3 fills a critical operational gap — India's armed forces currently depend largely on imported munitions for drone-launched precision strikes. A domestically developed, dual-mode missile for drones directly reduces import dependence and strengthens indigenous warfighting capability.

DRDO and India's Missile Development Ecosystem

DRDO (Defence Research and Development Organisation), established in 1958 under the Ministry of Defence, is India's premier defence R&D agency with over 50 laboratories and establishments. Research Centre Imarat (RCI), established in 1988 in Hyderabad, is the nodal DRDO laboratory for missile guidance and seeker technologies. RCI's mandate covers Control Engineering, Inertial Navigation Systems, Imaging Infrared seekers, RF seekers, onboard computers, and mission software — the core technologies that enable precision missile strikes. RCI has contributed to guidance systems for ballistic missiles, air defence interceptors, and now tactical UAV-launched munitions.

DRDO established: 1958; under Ministry of Defence
Number of DRDO labs: over 50
Research Centre Imarat (RCI): established 1988, Hyderabad, Telangana
RCI mandate: missile seekers (IIR, RF), inertial navigation, onboard computers, mission software
DRDO's Integrated Guided Missile Development Programme (IGMDP): produced Agni, Prithvi, Akash, Trishul, Nag — concluded in 2008
Current DRDO missile programmes: MRSAM, QRSAM, Astra (air-to-air), SFDR, ULPGM

Connection to this news: ULPGM-V3 is a product of the RCI's seeker technology expertise — the same IIR seeker capability developed for earlier strategic programmes has now been miniaturised and adapted for tactical drone warfare.

Drone Warfare and India's Defence Strategy

The use of armed drones (UAVs) has transformed modern warfare, demonstrated in conflicts from Nagorno-Karabakh (2020) to Ukraine. India's armed forces have increasingly prioritised drone-based capabilities following the 2020 Galwan clash and the January 2023 Indian Army's drone swarm demonstration. The Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) has cleared procurement of armed drones under the "Buy (Indian-IDDM)" category to incentivise domestic development. Drone-launched precision munitions like ULPGM-V3 bridge the gap between expensive missile systems and unguided bombs, providing cost-effective precision strike options for tactical operations in mountain terrain (relevant to the LAC) and counter-insurgency environments.

Nagorno-Karabakh (2020): Bayraktar TB2 drones demonstrated drone warfare's transformative impact
India's drone procurement: MQ-9B Reaper (armed variant) cleared for Navy/Army/IAF under US FMS
DAC: Defence Acquisition Council — apex body for defence procurement approvals; chaired by Defence Minister
"Buy (Indian-IDDM)": Indigenously Designed, Developed and Manufactured — highest preference category in DAC procurement
Drone Defence Policy 2022: India set up Counter-UAS systems; developed Bharat Drone Shakti programme
ULPGM relevance: Provides cheap, precise anti-armour and anti-drone capability without risking pilot lives

Connection to this news: ULPGM-V3's anti-drone mode (air-to-air) is particularly significant: it enables armed UAVs to engage enemy drones in flight — a counter-UAS capability increasingly relevant given proliferating drone threats along India's northern and western borders.

Key Facts & Data

Missile: ULPGM-V3 (Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Launched Precision Guided Missile, Version 3)
Weight: 12.5 kg
Range: up to 10 km; day effective range 4 km, night 2.5 km
Accuracy (CEP): 10 cm
Guidance: Dual-channel IIR seeker + laser guidance (all-weather, day-night)
Warhead: Tandem-charge (defeats ERA-protected tanks in top-attack mode)
Modes: Air-to-ground (anti-tank/bunker) and air-to-air (anti-drone/helicopter)
Developer: Research Centre Imarat (RCI), Hyderabad — DRDO's missile guidance nodal lab (est. 1988)
Trials: Completed at DRDO range near Kurnool, Andhra Pradesh
DRDO established: 1958; operates 50+ labs under Ministry of Defence