Indian Unmanned Aerial Vehicles Developments

DRDO completes development trials of Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Launched Precision Guided Missile-V3 in Air-to-Ground & Air-to-Air modes​


Posted On: 19 MAY 2026 9:50PM by PIB Delhi​


Defence Research & Development Organisation (DRDO) has successfully completed the final deliverable configuration development trials of Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Launched Precision Guided Missile (ULPGM)-V3 in Air-to-Ground and Air-to-Air modes at DRDO test range near Kurnool, Andhra Pradesh. The trials were carried out using an integrated Ground Control System (GCS) to command and control the ULPGM weapon system. The GCS features state-of-the-art technologies to automate readiness and launch operations.

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DRDO has partnered with two production agencies - Bharat Dynamics Limited, Hyderabad and Adani Defence Systems & Technologies Limited, Hyderabad - for the development and production of the missiles. The system has been integrated on UAVs developed by Newspace Research and Technologies, Bengaluru for current trials.

The ULPGM missile has been developed by Research Centre Imarat, Hyderabad as the nodal lab along with other DRDO laboratories namely Defence Research & Development Laboratory (DRDL) Hyderabad, Terminal Ballistics Research Laboratory (TBRL), Chandigarh and High Energy Materials Research Laboratory (HEMRL), Pune.

The missile has been produced entirely through the Indian defence ecosystem involving a large number of MSMEs and other industries. The trials confirmed fully mature domestic supply chain, equipped for immediate serial mass production.

Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh has complimented DRDO, PSUs, Defence cum Production Partners and industry for the successful development trials of ULPGM-V3 in Air-to-Ground mode for anti-tank role and Air-to-Air modes for Drone, Helicopter and other airborne targets. He termed it a strategic milestone achieved towards Aatmanirbharta in Defence.
 
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Although the article focuses on Ghatak, the CDS is talking about loyal wingman drones.

The only indigenous option for a medium-sized aircraft today is Warrior. Svayatt M1 and Abhimanyu are much smaller and carry no weapons. It's unclear yet if IAF is going for Warrior class drones, not just the Svayatt/Abhimanyu class. The former is slow and expensive. The latter is highly maneuverable and cheap/expendable. The CDS wishes for a 2030 IOC.

American options are far more capable than Warrior. Ghost Bat, Dark Merlin, Valkyrie, and Fury are pretty much the same weight but can quite literally accompany fighters at 40000-50000 feet and mach 0.85 and carry plenty of fuel. The USAF's versions can carry 2 AMRAAMs and have fighter-class agility. Valkyrie can be launched from shipping containers and trucks. Warrior needs more fuel and a more powerful engine at the very least.
 
FalconSlayers said:
I've often heard about single-use turbojets. How about something like single-use turboprops? This eliminates the altitude limitations of Shahed-type OWA drones while being cheaper than a single-use turbojet which itself isn't as expensive. Piston engine drones can be hit with AAA guns and interceptor drones, so they must fly higher to raise the costs for the enemy and being more survivable while not being a fiscal burden upon the user.
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You only get more speed and altitude with turboprop at a much higher cost. The objective of piston drone is fuel economy and long range. It's also easier to manufacture in large numbers and can use regular petrol or diesel depending on design.

So piston for mass and range. Jet for speed.
 
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CATS @hunter said:
SLMUAV already had it's first flight,
Who will be the DcPP it gonna be interesting?
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Where is the 2nd image from I can't find the November 2025 newsletter which has the 2nd image, if anyone of you have this particular issue of the newsletter please do share it.
I checked with way back machine too even the 16th November 2025 archive doesn't have them.
 
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