The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has opened a new opportunity for Indian private companies to participate in the development and production of advanced tactical missiles and guided munitions.
DRDO’s Hyderabad-based Research Centre Imarat (RCI) has invited eligible Indian private firms to work with the organisation under a Development-cum-Production Partner framework. The initiative is aimed at combining DRDO’s technological expertise with the manufacturing capabilities of the domestic defence industry.
The programme covers areas involving tactical surface-to-air missiles, air-to-air missile systems such as Astra, and guided-munition technologies. Selected companies are expected to contribute to development as well as subsequent manufacturing, helping create a stronger domestic industrial base for sophisticated weapon systems.
The eligibility requirements indicate that participating firms must have established financial and technical capabilities. Companies are required to meet specified turnover and net-worth criteria, maintain an appropriate credit rating and possess the necessary industrial licences. They must also demonstrate capabilities related to safety and explosives handling.
RCI has additionally specified SAMAR assessment certification as part of the eligibility framework. This requirement is intended to ensure that participating companies have the necessary capabilities and standards for working on sensitive defence technologies.
The initiative comes as India continues to expand private-sector participation in defence manufacturing. Greater involvement of domestic companies can help increase production capacity, strengthen supply chains and support the faster induction of indigenously developed weapons into the armed forces.
RCI plays a significant role in India’s missile technology ecosystem, particularly in areas such as guidance, avionics and related systems. Greater collaboration with private industry could help translate these technologies into larger-scale production while supporting the country’s long-term defence manufacturing objectives.
The latest move is therefore another step towards building a broader and more capable Indian defence industrial ecosystem. By bringing qualified private companies into advanced missile and guided-weapon programmes, DRDO aims to strengthen indigenous capabilities and reduce dependence on foreign sources for critical military technologies.