Indian Army Inducts ULPGM and AGNIKAA VTOL-1 Kamikaze Drones

Why in News:

The Indian Army has inducted the ULPGM and AGNIKAA VTOL-1 FPV Kamikaze Drone after successful trials in challenging operational environments, strengthening India’s indigenous unmanned warfare capabilities.

Key Highlights:

The systems successfully completed:

High-altitude trials

Precision strike tests

Electronic warfare environment evaluations

The drones were handed over in Hyderabad.

Senior Western Command officials were present during the induction ceremony.

About ULPGM:

ULPGM stands for Ultra Light Precision Guided Missile.

Developed jointly by:

Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO)

Adani Defence & Aerospace

India’s first indigenous loitering munition in its category.

Key Features:

Equipped with:

Imaging Infrared (IIR) seeker

Anti-jamming systems

Operational range:

UAV range: 20 km

Strike range: 2.5 km

Carries a 2-kg warhead for precision attacks.

About AGNIKAA VTOL-1:

India’s first FPV (First Person View) kamikaze drone in its category.

Equipped with VTOL (Vertical Take-Off and Landing) capability.

Key Features:

Operational range: 5 km

Endurance: 30 minutes

Can operate in:

GPS-denied environments

Electronic warfare zones

Designed for rapid and accurate strikes.

Importance in Modern Warfare:

Enhances:

Precision strike capability

Border surveillance

Battlefield effectiveness

Supports future deployment of:

Drone swarms

Unmanned combat systems

Strategic Significance:

Strengthens India’s unmanned warfare capability.

Enhances preparedness for technology-driven conflicts.

May improve India’s defence export potential in the future.

Final Takeaway:

The induction of ULPGM and AGNIKAA VTOL-1 marks a major advancement in India’s indigenous defence technology. Developed under the vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat, these systems enhance India’s precision strike and modern battlefield capabilities.