Indian Army gets indigenous FPV kamikaze drones, UAV-launched precision munitions
Defense sources said the systems were handed over in Hyderabad in the presence of officials from the Army’s Western Command after successful high-altitude, electronic warfare (EW) and precision-guided munition firing trials.
Two systems, ULPGM and AGNIKAA VTOL-1, were designed, developed and produced domestically.
Jointly developed by Defense Research and Development Organization (DRDO) and AdDefence & Aerospace, ULPGM is India’s first indigenous mobile munition in its category. The system is equipped with an Infrared Imaging (IIR) seeker and can be launched from UAVs to target both stationary and moving targets.
While the operational range of the UAV is up to 20 kilometers, the hit range of the ammunition reaches 2.5 kilometers.
The system is designed to operate in all weather conditions, day and night. It can also operate in environments where GPS is rejected and communications are congested, thanks to its anti-interference and anti-spoofing capabilities.
The ULPGM carries a two kg warhead capable of neutralizing both soft and hard targets and has a CEP (Circular Error Probable) accuracy of one metre. The missile can also be integrated with retractable UAV platforms, providing greater operational flexibility in contested electronic warfare environments.
The second system, AGNIKAA VTOL-1, was defined as India’s first FPV (First-Person View) kamikaze drone in its class.
The drone was developed as an anti-personnel precision strike platform designed for urban warfare, confined spaces and open battlefield operations. It can operate in GPS-blocked and electronic warfare environments.
Sources added that AGNIKAA VTOL-1 has also undergone successful high altitude and electronic warfare trials, confirming that it is ready to be deployed in difficult operational terrains.
The drone has a range of up to five kilometers, an endurance of 30 minutes and a top speed of 60 km/h.
The system has a five-meter lethality radius against human targets and soft-skinned vehicles. It is also equipped with a three-layer trigger mechanism and four-layer trigger safety system, aiming to ensure operator safety and mission reliability.
Defense sources also said the system is extremely agile, can be deployed quickly and can remain resilient in electronic warfare environments where GPS is hindered.
