Rajnath Singh Clears DRDO Missile Tech Transfer To Indian Firms For Domestic Production
DRDO missile technologies will move to eligible Indian defence firms.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has approved the transfer of Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO)-developed technologies covering all conventional missile systems to Indian industries for indigenous production, the Defence Ministry said on Tuesday. The decision is aimed at strengthening India's self-reliance in defence manufacturing and expanding the role of domestic companies in the country's defence ecosystem.
Under the approved initiative, eligible Indian companies will be able to undertake indigenous production of conventional missile systems developed by the DRDO. The transfer of technology (ToT) will remain subject to applicable qualifications, certifications and regulatory requirements. The move is expected to provide domestic industries with greater access to defence technologies and support the expansion of India's indigenous manufacturing capabilities.
The Defence Ministry described the decision as an important step towards the government's Aatmanirbharta vision in defence. Greater participation by Indian companies is expected to strengthen the domestic defence industrial base while reducing dependence on overseas suppliers for critical military equipment. The initiative also comes as India continues to develop advanced indigenous missile capabilities, including hypersonic glide and cruise missile technologies.
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The announcement comes amid a broader expansion of India's defence production sector. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in his August 15 address, highlighted the growth of domestic defence manufacturing and said defence production had increased fourfold over the past 12 years. The government has increasingly focused on expanding domestic manufacturing and exports as part of its efforts to strengthen India's strategic and industrial capabilities.
According to the Ministry of Defence, defence production increased by 15.6 per cent in financial year 2024-25 and was 110 per cent higher than the Rs 84,643 crore recorded in FY 2020-21. Indigenous defence production has also increased nearly fourfold compared with FY 2013-14. Defence exports reached a record 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 achieving Rs 50,000 crore in defence exports by 2029, while the private sector is playing an increasingly important role in the defence manufacturing ecosystem. Private companies accounted for 24 per cent of total defence production in FY 2025-26, while Defence Public Sector Undertakings and other public sector entities contributed about 76 per cent. The transfer of DRDO missile technologies is expected to further deepen domestic industry participation in this expanding sector.
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