DRDO Missile Technologies to Be Transferred to Indian Defence Industry to Boost Indigenous Production
By Suman Munshi | IBG NEWS
New Delhi, August 25, 2026: In a major move aimed at strengthening India’s self-reliance in defence manufacturing, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has approved the transfer of technology for all conventional missile systems developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) to Indian defence companies for domestic production.
The decision is expected to give further momentum to the government’s Aatmanirbhar Bharat vision by expanding the role of Indian industry in manufacturing advanced defence systems. Companies that meet the prescribed qualifications, certification standards and regulatory requirements will be eligible to undertake production using the transferred technologies.
The initiative is designed to bridge the gap between missile technology development and large-scale industrial manufacturing, allowing capabilities developed by DRDO to move more efficiently into production through the domestic defence industry.
According to the initiative, greater participation by Indian companies will also help build a stronger and more diverse defence manufacturing ecosystem. Indian MSMEs, technology partners and other industrial entities are expected to gain opportunities to become part of the supply chain supporting advanced missile systems.
The technology transfer is also aimed at strengthening India’s operational preparedness while reducing reliance on imported defence equipment. Increased domestic production could contribute to higher local value addition and support the expansion of India’s indigenous defence industrial base.
DRDO is expected to work closely with industry partners during the technology-transfer and absorption process, helping domestic manufacturers acquire the capabilities required to produce advanced defence technologies within the country.
The move represents another step in India’s broader effort to transform its defence sector from one with significant import dependence into a globally competitive, technology-driven and increasingly self-reliant manufacturing ecosystem.
With the transfer of DRDO-developed missile technologies to qualified Indian industry, the initiative could further strengthen the connection between India’s defence research capabilities and its industrial manufacturing capacity, while creating new opportunities for domestic technology development and production.
