Archive · 19 Aug 2026
DRDO Invites Private Firms for Missile Production Partnerships
India’s defence research agency, DRDO, wants private companies to help make some missiles and bomb systems.
Companies will first be checked to see whether they have the right skills, licences and money.
Experts will visit the companies’ facilities before making a shortlist.
At least two companies will be chosen for each project.
The companies will work with DRDO to build prototypes.
These prototypes will then be tested.
A company could later receive an order to make many units if the armed forces need them.
Public-sector companies currently produce most of these strategic weapons.
The plan could give private Indian companies a larger role in defence manufacturing.
DRDO plans to shortlist Indian private companies for missile and bomb-system projects.
Firms will be assessed on technical, financial, infrastructure and project-management capabilities.
Applicants must hold defence-manufacturing and explosives-handling licences and meet financial requirements.
At least two companies will be selected for each project under a development-cum-production model.
Selected firms will help develop and test prototypes before receiving production orders for large requirements.
- Who
- The Defence Research and Development Organisation and Indian private defence companies.
- What
- DRDO is inviting private firms to partner in developing and producing missile and bomb systems.
- When
- The article does not specify when the plan will begin.
- Where
- India; applicants’ industrial facilities will be inspected before shortlisting.
- Why
- To support development and large-scale production of strategic weapons through private-sector partnerships.
- Lead agency
- Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO)
- Eligible companies
- Indian private companies with relevant technical, financial and manufacturing capabilities
- Required licences
- An industrial licence for defence manufacturing and a PESO licence for handling and storing explosives
- Financial requirement
- Minimum turnover requirements and a net worth exceeding 5% of the expected work value
- Selection model
- At least two companies will be selected for each project
- Production assessment
- Companies may be assessed on their ability to produce more than 50 or 100 units
- Current production base
- Strategic weapons are primarily produced by public-sector companies such as Bharat Dynamics Ltd.