By A Correspondent

New Delhi: India, on May 19, 2026, successfully tested a drone-launched missile in its deliverable configuration, ahead of it being readied for delivery to the armed forces to counter threats from enemy battle tanks, drones, helicopters, and other airborne targets.

The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) completed the final development trials of the Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Launched Precision Guided Missile – V3 (ULPGM-V3) in both the air-to-ground and air-to-air modes at the test range near Kurnool in 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,” the Ministry of Defence said in a statement.

The DRDO partnered with two production agencies, Hyderabad-based Bharat Dynamics Limited and Adani Defence Systems & Technologies Limited, for the missile development and production.

The missile system was integrated on UAVs developed by Bengaluru-based Newspace Research and Technologies for current trials, the MoD said.

Hyderabad-based Research Centre Imarat developed the ULPGM missile as the nodal lab. Other DRDO laboratories involved in the project were Hyderabad-based Research & Development Laboratory (DRDL), Chandigarh-based Terminal Ballistics Research Laboratory (TBRL), and Pune-based High Energy Materials Research Laboratory (HEMRL).

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

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh complimented the DRDO, Defence Public Sector Undertakings, Development-cum-Production Partners, and the 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’ (Self-Reliance) in the defence sector.

DRDO Chairman and Department of Defence Research and Development Secretary Dr. Samir V. Kamat congratulated all the teams associated with the trials for the commendable achievement.

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