India has taken a significant step towards strengthening its domestic defence manufacturing ecosystem with the approval of technology transfer for all conventional missile systems developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO).
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh approved the transfer of DRDO-developed technologies to the Indian defence industry on August 25, 2026. The move will allow eligible domestic companies to undertake indigenous production of conventional missile systems, subject to the required qualifications, certifications and regulatory approvals.
The decision is aimed at accelerating the transition of missile systems from the development stage to industrial-scale production. According to the Ministry of Defence, greater participation by Indian industry will help expand domestic manufacturing capabilities while creating new opportunities for MSMEs and other technology partners across the defence supply chain.
The technology transfer is also expected to strengthen India’s defence industrial base and increase the country’s ability to manufacture advanced weapon systems domestically. By bringing more private-sector companies into the missile production ecosystem, the initiative could help expand manufacturing capacity and improve the availability of indigenously produced defence equipment.
A key objective of the move is to reduce dependence on imported defence equipment and increase domestic value addition. The Ministry of Defence has linked the decision with the government’s broader Aatmanirbharta in Defence initiative, under which India is seeking to develop a stronger and more self-reliant defence manufacturing base.
For DRDO, the policy also represents a greater emphasis on converting successfully developed technologies into production-ready capabilities through partnerships with Indian industry. This approach can allow the organisation to focus more heavily on research and development while domestic manufacturers take on a larger role in production and technology absorption.
The approval comes as India continues to expand the role of private companies and MSMEs in defence manufacturing. Greater industrial participation is expected to support innovation, strengthen the domestic supply chain and provide additional capacity for meeting the requirements of the Indian Armed Forces.
The Defence Ministry said the initiative is expected to enhance operational capability, reduce import dependence and increase domestic value addition. DRDO will continue working with Indian industry to facilitate the transfer and absorption of advanced defence technologies, further supporting India’s long-term objective of building an indigenous and technologically capable defence sector.
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