Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has allowed technology transfer of all conventional missile systems designed and developed by India’s Defence Research & Development Organisation (DRDO) to any interested domestic defence industries that qualify on this count, The Tribune reported.
This decision is likely to promote higher indigenous production in India and enhance its self-reliance, as many of its existing weapons are imports. The Ministry termed this development as a “key milestone” in fostering domestic industry engagement.
As per the technology transfer initiative, the DRDO-developed conventional missile systems would be manufactured by Indian firms that qualify after fulfilling necessary technical qualifications, certifications and other regulatory standards.
This decision coincides with Indian efforts to build stronger indigenous defence manufacturing and reduce dependence on foreign acquisition of sensitive technologies necessary for self-reliance in security. It is also expected to boost chances for various MSMEs and other large manufacturing units in India to develop and integrate themselves into the defence value chain and supply chain infrastructure in the country.
This technology transfer applies to DRDO-designed indigenous conventional missile systems and is intended to enable moving the existing state of defence technology from development centres to the sphere of industrial scale and production.
DRDO has collaborated with various private firms for various defense related project, however, this latest decision would streamline and enhance the capability across the entire range of its conventionally guided weapons systems in India.
This initiative comes at a time when a strong focus by the Indian establishment on indigenous defence manufacturing has increased as a result of worsening safety and security conditions in Asia.
