Centre set to open missile sector to private Indian firms
The Indian government is opening its strategic missile sector to private firms to meet rising domestic demand and export requirements. Companies like Adani, Tata, and Mahindra are being invited to manufacture advanced missiles like the Astra Mark 2 and Pralay.
Why it matters
This policy shift aims to bolster India's defense manufacturing capabilities and reduce reliance on state-owned entities to counter regional security threats.
With Indonesia keen to acquire Astra, a 180km-plus range beyond-visual-range (BVR) air-to-air missile developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), the defence ministry has decided to open up the strategic missile sector to private Indian companies. This shift comes as the state-owned manufacturer, Bharat Dynamics Ltd, cannot cater to the growing demands of the armed forces and missile exports to friendly third countries.The defence ministry will soon float a request for proposal (RFP) inviting private-sector firms and conglomerates, including ICOMM, Adani, Bharat Forge, the Tata group and the Mahindra group, to manufacture the 180-200km range Astra Mark 2 missile, HT has learnt. The successfully tested missile counters the long-range PL-15 E air-to-air missile provided by China to Pakistan in the run-up to Operation Sindoor last year.
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