India authorises DRDO missile tech handover to domestic defence firms
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh approved the transfer of DRDO-developed missile technologies to Indian defence companies for local production, aiming to boost indigenous manufacturing.
Rajnath Singh has signed off on a policy that permits Indian defence companies to obtain DRDO’s conventional missile technologies for domestic manufacturing, provided they meet eligibility and certification requirements. The move is intended to reduce reliance on imports, expand value-addition within India and involve a wider network of firms, from large integrators to micro, small and medium enterprises. Existing partnerships, like those with Larsen & Toubro, Bharat Forge’s Kalyani Strategic Systems and Kalyani Rafael Advanced Systems, illustrate the growing private sector role.
By reallocating production duties, DRDO can focus on research while industry scales up output, maintains quality and supports upgrades. The broader goal is to create a more competitive supplier pool, strengthen supply chains, and eventually enable defence exports under strict government oversight.
Why it matters
It could speed up India's self-reliance in missile production and open new markets for domestic defence firms.
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