The Defence Research and Development Organisation has completed the final deliverable configuration development trials of the Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Launched Precision Guided Missile-V3 in both air-to-ground and air-to-air modes.
In a statement on Tuesday, 19 May, the Ministry of Defence said the trials were conducted at the DRDO test range near Kurnool in Andhra Pradesh.
The ULPGM-V3 trials were carried out using an integrated Ground Control System to command and control the weapon system.
According to the ministry, the Ground Control System uses state-of-the-art technologies to automate readiness and launch operations.
The ministry said the missile was tested in air-to-ground mode for the anti-tank role and in air-to-air mode against drones, helicopters and other airborne targets.
DRDO has partnered with Bharat Dynamics Limited, Hyderabad, and Adani Defence Systems and Technologies Limited, Hyderabad, for the development and production of the missiles.
For the current trials, the system was integrated on UAVs developed by Newspace Research and Technologies, Bengaluru.
The ULPGM missile has been developed by Research Centre Imarat, Hyderabad, as the nodal laboratory.
Other DRDO laboratories involved in the programme include Defence Research and Development Laboratory, Hyderabad; Terminal Ballistics Research Laboratory, Chandigarh; and High Energy Materials Research Laboratory, Pune.
The ministry said the missile has been produced entirely through the Indian defence ecosystem, with the involvement of a large number of MSMEs and other industries.
It said the trials confirmed a fully mature domestic supply chain equipped for immediate serial mass production.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh complimented DRDO, public sector undertakings, defence-cum-production partners and industry for the successful development trials of ULPGM-V3.
Singh described the achievement as a strategic milestone towards self-reliance in defence.
Secretary, Department of Defence R&D and DRDO Chairman Dr Samir V Kamat congratulated all teams associated with the trials.
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