India clears DRDO missile technology transfer to domestic defence sector

India's defence ministry has cleared the transfer of domestically-developed missile system technologies from the DRDO to the country's defence industrial base, marking what officials described as a significant step toward greater self-reliance in defence manufacturing.

The approval enables Indian defence companies to transition from development partnerships into full-scale industrial production of advanced missile platforms. The move reflects New Delhi's broader push to reduce dependence on foreign defence suppliers while building a robust domestic ecosystem capable of meeting the nation's security requirements.

Official sources said the initiative aims to strengthen India's defence industrial base by creating wider opportunities for participation across the supply chain, including small and medium enterprises and specialized technology partners. By consolidating DRDO's technological advances within domestic industry, the measure seeks to enhance manufacturing capabilities while generating economic activity in the defence sector.

The decision aligns with India's "Make in India" vision for the defence sector, which has prioritized leveraging indigenous research institutions and private manufacturers to develop indigenous defence capabilities. The transfer framework is expected to accelerate the path from laboratory prototypes to field-ready systems.