Economy
India to Transfer DRDO Missile Technology to Qualified Private Firms
DRDO will transfer technology for conventional missile systems to eligible Indian companies, expanding industry’s role in defence production.
What happened
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said on September 27, 2026, that technology for conventional missile systems developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation will be transferred to qualified Indian companies. Eligible private firms will then be able to manufacture those systems. Singh said the move would support the armed forces’ operational readiness and ensure timely missile supplies. He added that DRDO is being refocused more heavily on research and development, while industry takes a larger role in production. The announcement formed part of a wider push to build domestic defence capabilities and reduce reliance on imports.
Why it matters
The decision gives qualified private companies a direct manufacturing role in conventional missile systems, while positioning DRDO to concentrate more on research and development. It also supports India’s stated goal of reducing defence-import dependence.
Source: Press Information Bureau (India)