India Opens Missile Production to Private Sector After Operation Sindoor

In a major reform for India’s defense industry, the government has opened missile and ammunition production to the private sector — a landmark move aimed at boosting domestic capacity, speeding up modernization, and reducing dependence on imports. The decision comes in the wake of Operation Sindoor, which exposed key gaps in India’s missile readiness and supply chains during high-intensity operations.

According to a recent announcement by the Ministry of Defence, private firms will now be allowed to design, manufacture, and integrate missile systems, artillery shells, and ammunition — areas that were previously dominated by state-owned enterprises like Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL) and Munitions India Limited (MIL).

One of the most significant policy changes is the removal of the No Objection Certificate (NOC) barrier that required private firms to obtain clearance from government entities like MIL before producing certain types of ammunition. This reform is expected to open the door for dozens of Indian defense startups and established private players to enter the high-value missile ecosystem.

In addition, DRDO will collaborate more closely with private companies for conventional missile development, including long-range and precision systems. However, the production of strategic and nuclear-capable missiles will remain strictly under government control, in line with national security protocols.

Officials say the move was shaped by lessons learned from Operation Sindoor, where India’s armed forces realized the urgent need for faster replenishment of precision weapons and greater self-reliance in stand-off offensive capabilities. The new policy seeks to ensure that India never faces a critical shortage of advanced munitions in the middle of a conflict again.

Industry experts have hailed the decision as a “Make in India milestone”, with potential to create thousands of skilled jobs and attract billions in investment. However, some defense analysts caution that without clear quality standards, security vetting, and export regulations, the transition could pose risks of leakage and uneven production quality.

Still, the move signals a bold step toward India’s long-term vision of becoming a global defense manufacturing hub — one where private innovation complements public research to strengthen national defense.