New Delhi, August 25: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has approved the transfer of Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO)-developed technologies for all conventional missile systems to Indian industries for indigenous production, the Ministry of Defence said on Tuesday.
The initiative is aimed at increasing the participation of domestic industries in defence manufacturing and strengthening India’s self-reliance in the sector.
Under the Transfer of Technology (ToT), eligible Indian companies will be able to undertake production of conventional missile systems developed by the DRDO, subject to applicable qualifications, certifications and regulatory requirements.
The move is part of the government’s efforts to expand indigenous defence manufacturing and reduce dependence on foreign suppliers. It will also enable private and other eligible domestic industries to participate in the production of missile systems developed within the country.
The DRDO is also working on technologies related to hypersonic glide and cruise missile systems as part of India’s indigenous hypersonic weapons programme.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in his Independence Day address on August 15, highlighted the expansion of India’s defence manufacturing base and said that defence production had increased four times over the past 12 years.
According to the Ministry of Defence, defence production increased by 15.6 per cent in the financial year 2024-25 and by 110 per cent from Rs 84,643 crore in FY 2020-21. Indigenous defence production has also increased nearly fourfold since FY 2013-14.
Defence exports reached Rs 38,424 crore in FY 2025-26, with Indian defence products being exported to more than 80 countries. The government has set a target of Rs 50,000 crore in defence exports by 2029.
The private sector accounted for 24 per cent of total defence production in FY 2025-26, while Defence Public Sector Undertakings and other public sector entities contributed around 76 per cent.
The transfer of DRDO missile technologies is expected to further expand the role of Indian industries in defence manufacturing and support the government’s Aatmanirbharta in defence initiative.