Archive · 21 Aug 2026
DRDO Invites Private Firms for Missile, Bomb Production
India’s defence research agency, DRDO, wants private companies to help make missiles and guided bombs.
The companies would work on weapons designed by DRDO.
They would help develop, assemble and test the weapons.
After military trials, they could help produce them for India’s armed forces.
Companies must prove that they have skilled workers, suitable factories and strong quality systems.
They also need special licences and safe facilities for handling explosives.
DRDO will score the companies and may inspect their facilities.
Experts believe the plan could help India make more important defence equipment at home.
The companies may receive DRDO technology without paying a transfer fee after successfully completing development work.
DRDO has invited Indian private companies to develop and produce missile and guided bomb systems.
The initiative seeks Development Cum Production Partners for projects under the Missiles and Strategic Systems cluster.
Selected firms would help develop, assemble, integrate, qualify and eventually produce DRDO-designed weapons.
Applicants must meet financial, technical, quality-control, licensing, cybersecurity and explosives-handling requirements.
Experts say the framework could strengthen domestic defence manufacturing and reduce reliance on imported weapons.
- Who
- The Defence Research and Development Organisation and Indian private companies.
- What
- DRDO issued an Expression of Interest to identify Development Cum Production Partners for missile and bomb weapon-system projects.
- When
- The articles do not specify when the Expression of Interest was issued; applicants must provide or apply for a SAMAR Assessment Certificate by May 1, 2027.
- Where
- India, under DRDO’s Missiles and Strategic Systems cluster.
- Why
- To expand domestic production of strategic weapons, strengthen India’s defence industrial base and reduce dependence on imports.
- Issuing organisation
- Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), through Research Centre Imarat (RCI)
- Target partners
- Indian private companies selected as Development Cum Production Partners
- Weapon systems
- Missiles and guided bombs under the Missiles and Strategic Systems cluster
- Minimum turnover
- Applicants must have annual turnover of at least Rs 100 crore
- Minimum net worth
- The minimum stated net worth requirement is Rs 34 crore
- Selection threshold
- Companies must score more than 60 per cent overall and at least 50 per cent in each technical compliance category
- Explosives facility
- Selected firms must have or establish storage capacity for at least five tonnes of explosives, including TNT and RDX
- Potential users
- India’s three armed forces, following development and user trials
