NEW DELHI: In a big development to empower Indian private players with new missile technologies to achieve govt’s vision of self-reliance in defence production, defence minister Rajnath Singh has “approved the transfer of DRDO-developed technologies of all conventional missile systems to the domestic industry for production within the country”.Conventional missiles are non-strategic, non-nuclear guided weapon systems designed and developed by DRDO for tactical and traditional battlefield operations. The initiative aims to enhance operational capability, reduce import dependence and increase domestic value addition, while supporting the growth of India’s defence manufacturing sector, a defence ministry statement said on Tuesday.
“Though DRDO has already tied up with several defence PSUs and private companies like L&T, Tata Advanced Systems, Bharat Forge and Adani Defence in some missile and defence system programmes, the govt is taking this big step to increase the number of production partners to ensure its supply chain for missiles and their systems are not crippled during the time of conflict in future,” a source in the defence ministry told TOI.DRDO has developed a wide array of conventional (non-strategic) missile systems spanning air defence, strike and anti-armour roles. “The missiles that are set to become part of technology transfer include surface-to-air missile Akash (can intercept fighter jets, cruise missiles, and drones), Nag (all-weather, fire-and-forget, anti-tank guided missile), Very Short Range Air Defence System (VSHORDS counters low-altitude aerial threats at short ranges); Astra (beyond-visual-range air-to-air missile), Rudram (anti-radiation missile series designed for suppression of enemy air defences) Pralay (short-range, surface-to-surface quasi-ballistic missile) and man-portable ATGM,” the source said.The transfer of technology marks an important milestone in promoting greater participation of the domestic industries in the defence ecosystem by enabling them to undertake indigenous production, as per applicable qualifications, certifications and regulatory requirements, the ministry said.The move has come in the wake of DRDO recently inviting domestic private companies to be “partner in the development and production of missile and bomb weapon system projects of missiles and strategic systems cluster”.The objective of the missile tech transfer move is to enhance domestic manufacturing capabilities, strengthen defence industrial base and create opportunities for the participation of Indian MSMEs and other technology partners in the supply chain, it said.The provision will enable successful transition of missile system development to industrial production, reflecting the continued efforts of DRDO to leverage the capabilities of the Indian industry for the development and manufacture of advanced defence systems, the ministry said.
