India conducts trials for UAV-aided missiles

India has successfully tested a new UAV-launched precision guided missile, Defense Minister Rajnath Singh announced on Friday.

India’s Defense Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) conducted flight trials of the ULPGM-V3, an extended-range, air-to-surface missile designed for deployment via unmanned aerial platforms.

The ULPGM-V3 is an extended-range, air-to-surface missile designed for deployment via unmanned aerial platforms. 

The trials were conducted at the National Open Area Range (NOAR) in the southern Indian state of Andhra Pradesh.

In a post on X, Singh said the trials marked a “significant boost” to India's defense capabilities. “This success proves that the Indian industry is now ready to absorb and produce critical defense technologies,” he added. 

Since its recent conflict with Pakistan, India has upped the ante on drone production as one of measures to bolster its defense capabilities. 

During the military confrontation in May, India used homegrown unmanned aerial vehicles, counter-drone technologies, and loitering munitions (also known as kamikaze drones). 

Kamikaze drones are believed to have enabled precise targeting of Pakistani military infrastructure. India is one of the world’s largest importers of military drones. Earlier this month, the Reuters news agency, citing government and industry sources, reported that the South Asian nation plans to launch a $234 million program for three years that will cover manufacture of drones, components, software, counter drone systems, and services.

The Indian private sector is also looking to meet the country’s growing need for military drones. 

Apollyon Dynamics, a defense-tech startup founded by two 20-year old engineering students delivered drones to the Indian armed forces, local media outlets reported on Tuesday. These kamikaze drones can hit speeds of over 186 miles per hour and deliver 1 kg payloads with accuracy, according to the Times of India.