On 25 August 2026, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh sanctioned a landmark Transfer of Technology (ToT) initiative, allowing private Indian companies to manufacture conventional missiles designed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO).
While this marks a major shift towards domestic arms manufacturing and self-reliance, the policy notably excludes certain high-profile weapons.
The Ministry of Defence has clarified that strategic deterrents—namely the Agni ballistic missiles and the submarine-launched K-series—as well as the BrahMos cruise missile, will remain outside this new framework.
These powerful systems will continue to be managed under their current, highly restricted operational structures.
Defence officials have maintained a strict boundary between standard tactical weapons and strategic nuclear assets.
The Agni family represents the core of India’s land-based nuclear strike capabilities, while the K-series provides the critical ability to launch retaliatory strikes from submarines.
Because these missiles form the foundation of the nation's strategic deterrence, the government has explicitly restricted private firms from producing them.
This decision aligns with India’s long-standing tradition of keeping the design, manufacturing, and control of nuclear-capable weapons strictly within government agencies and DRDO facilities, rather than sharing them with commercial industries.
The reasoning behind this restriction is clear, even if not explicitly detailed in public statements.
Strategic weapons demand an extreme level of technological secrecy and security. Furthermore, they are governed by a highly centralised command-and-control structure overseen by India’s Nuclear Command Authority.
Allowing private companies to manufacture these nuclear-capable assets would introduce complex security risks and raise international concerns regarding the spread of nuclear technology.
Therefore, the standards for safeguarding these assets are vastly different from those required for standard tactical missiles.
In contrast, the BrahMos supersonic cruise missile is excluded for entirely different reasons. It is not restricted simply because of strategic sensitivity, but rather due to its origins as a joint venture between India and Russia.
Because BrahMos Aerospace operates under a bilateral agreement, the DRDO cannot independently transfer its manufacturing rights to private Indian companies.
Similarly, the Medium-Range Surface-to-Air Missile (MRSAM) is excluded because it was developed in partnership with Israel.
Since these are not entirely homegrown projects, the government cannot hand over production rights to domestic industries without violating existing international treaties.
Despite these exclusions, the range of conventional weapons now available to the private sector is substantial and marks a turning point in military production.
The newly opened portfolio includes the Akash and Akash-NG surface-to-air missiles, the Very Short Range Air Defence System (VSHORADS), and the Astra air-to-air missiles.
It also features the Rudram anti-radiation series, various anti-tank systems like the Nag and SANT, the NASM-SR anti-ship weapon, and the Pralay conventional strike missile.
Private companies have already begun stepping into development and production roles for many of these tactical systems under competitive bidding models.
Because these are fully indigenous DRDO projects without international partnerships or nuclear classifications, the government is free to share their technology with private businesses to build a stronger, self-reliant defence supply chain.
