Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Tuesday approved a proposal for the transfer of DRDO-developed technology of all conventional missile systems to domestic private industry for production within the country.Announcing the decision, the Ministry of Defence (MoD) said the transfer of technology by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) “marked an important milestone in promoting greater participation of domestic industries in the defence ecosystem”.The move was aimed at enhancing operational capability, reducing import dependence and increasing domestic value addition, while supporting the growth of India’s defence manufacturing sector, the ministry said.In military parlance, “conventional missiles” destroy targets using traditional high explosives, fragmentation effects or kinetic impact. They do not carry nuclear, biological or chemical warheads.The MoD has not disclosed the details of the missiles covered under the “transfer of technology” initiative. However, going by the reference to “conventional missiles”, the list could include the Akash air defence missile system; the quick reaction surface-to-air missiles; air-launched Astra and the Nag missiles.So far, the ministry-owned public sector undertaking Bharat Dynamics Limited had been producing the missiles. The government’s go-ahead to the private industry is expected to boost production capacity and address the fledgling export market for Indian missile systems.In a post on social media platform X, Rajnath’s office said the transfer of technology would be subject to specified qualifications, certifications and regulatory requirements.The latest MoD initiative is different from a move announced last week that sought private partners for the manufacturing of strategic missiles. On August 17, the DRDO invited Indian private companies to apply as long-term partners for making missiles and guided bombs. The tender was issued by the Research Centre Imarat (RCI), Hyderabad, on behalf of the DRDO’s Missile and Strategic Systems (MSS) cluster.The DRDO website describes the MSS cluster as “being responsible for the design and development of state-of-the-art missiles and strategic systems required for the country’s deterrence and defence”. In simpler terms, missiles such as the inter-continental Agni system and the under-development hypersonic missiles are part of the MSS cluster.