Centre opens conventional missile manufacturing to private sector

The Centre has approved the transfer of DRDO-developed technologies for all conventional missile systems to Indian private industry, a major shift from the decades-old model where state-run Bharat Dynamics Limited held a near-monopoly on production. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh cleared the decision, allowing qualified companies such as Tata, Adani, Bharat Forge and Mahindra to compete through bidding for technology licences and undertake full-scale in-house production. The conventional portfolio being opened includes the Akash, Astra, Rudram, Nag, SANT, Pralay and naval missile families, though strategic systems like Agni and K-series will remain with state agencies.

The government is already issuing Requests for Proposals for long-range systems including the 1,000-1,500 km Land Attack Cruise Missile and the 150-500 km Pralay quasi-ballistic tactical missile, Hindustan Times reports. The shift under the DRDO's Development-cum-Production Partner model is intended to expand India's manufacturing capacity, cut import dependence, boost MSME participation and raise domestic value addition. Moving missile systems directly from design to industrial-scale production should also build surge capacity for prolonged conflict scenarios, and strengthen India's defence export ambitions.