DRDO Opens Strategic Weapon System Production To Private Firms, Sets Rs 100-Crore Turnover Norm

New Delhi, Aug 20 (KNN) The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has invited domestic private companies to partner in the development and production of missile and bomb weapon systems under its Missiles and Strategic Systems (MSS) cluster.

The DRDO has issued an Expression of Interest (EoI) to identify and shortlist potential Development-cum-Production Partners (DcPPs) for missile and bomb weapon system projects.

The initiative is aimed at expanding India's domestic defence manufacturing capacity and enabling strategic weapon systems to be produced at scale within the country, reported the Times Of India.

Private Firms to Support Development and Production

Under the proposed partnership model, selected companies will be required to meet DRDO's technical, manufacturing and infrastructure requirements before being considered for production responsibilities.

Shortlisted firms will subsequently be considered for project-specific Requests for Proposal (RFPs).

The selected industry partners will be able to participate in development, assembly and integration activities and equip themselves to undertake integration and qualification of DRDO-designed weapon systems.

Production Orders to Follow User Trials

Following completion of development and user trials, industry partners can work with DRDO-identified supply chains to execute production orders for the three armed services.

Companies may also undertake upgrades and provide integrated logistics support throughout the weapon systems' lifecycle, subject to approval from the concerned DRDO laboratory.

Firms Must Have Rs 100 Crore Turnover

The EoI said companies' ability to undertake bulk production of between 50 and 100 units would be assessed based on their infrastructure, technical capabilities and managerial manpower.

Eligible companies must have a minimum annual turnover of Rs 100 crore.

Private Sector Participation to Boost Defence Manufacturing

DRDO has previously transitioned systems including Agni, Prithvi and Akash missiles and the Pinaka multi-barrel rocket launcher system into large-scale production through partnerships involving public and private sector industry.

The latest initiative comes amid the government's efforts to expand domestic defence production, strengthen private-sector participation and reduce dependence on imports under the Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiative.

(KNN Bureau)