India's Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) is actively inviting private and public domestic firms to partner in the development and production of missile and strategic weapon systems. This initiative is part of the country's "Atmanirbhar Bharat" (self-reliant India) goal, aimed at increasing indigenous defense manufacturing capabilities and reducing dependence on foreign imports. The DRDO has issued an expression of interest (EoI) to identify and shortlist potential development-cum-production partners (DcPPs) for missile and strategic systems projects.
Under this partnership model, selected companies will be required to meet DRDO's technical, manufacturing, and infrastructure requirements. They will participate in development, assembly, and integration activities, and after trials, interact with DRDO's supply chain to fulfill production orders from the armed forces. Companies can also provide upgrades and integrated logistics support. To be eligible, companies must have a minimum turnover of $100 crore and demonstrate the ability to handle bulk production from 50 to 100 units.
The Ministry of Defence (MoD) has opened up tactical missile production, previously dominated by Bharat Dynamics Ltd (BDL), to private firms. At least four private companies—Adani Defence & Aerospace, Bharat Forge, ICOMM, and Solar Defence and Aerospace Ltd—have been selected as DcPPs for various tactical missile programs, alongside public sector undertakings like BDL and BEL. These projects include the Naval Anti-Ship Missile – Short Range (NASM-SR), Rudram I, II, and III series of air-to-surface missiles, Very Short-Range Air Defence System (VSHORADS), Long-Range Glide Bomb (LRGB), and UAV-Launched Precision Guided Missile (ULPGM-V3). The move aligns with the proposed Defence Acquisition Procedure (DAP) 2026 and aims to meet the growing demand for indigenous solutions in modern warfare, spurred by recent global conflicts.
Beyond tactical missiles, the DRDO is also considering involving private companies in the production of conventionally armed ballistic missiles and advanced air-to-air weapons, such as the Astra beyond visual range missiles. This broader opening up of missile manufacturing to the private sector aims to create a "unified dual-production pipeline" and institutionalize civil-military fusion, leveraging the experience and facilities of established public sector entities like BDL while fostering innovation and capacity in the private sector. The reforms do not diminish BDL's role but rather integrate private firms into a more expansive ecosystem for India's precision arsenal.
Separately, DRDO's Naval Science & Technological Laboratory (NSTL) has signed technology transfer agreements, including one with Bharat Dynamics Ltd (BDL) for the production of the 'Submarine Fired Decoy (SFD) Mohini,' an underwater countermeasure system. Another agreement with Vertex Engineering Systems Private Ltd. involves transferring technology for the fabrication, installation, and commissioning of the 'LM2500 Gas Turbine' for naval applications. These agreements further demonstrate DRDO's strategy of boosting indigenous defense manufacturing through collaboration with both public and private enterprises.
