The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) may soon bring private Indian companies into the production of the Astra beyond-visual-range air-to-air missile, according to a Business Standard report citing a Ministry of Defence source.
The move follows growing emphasis on expanding India’s domestic missile production capabilities amid lessons from recent global conflicts and evolving regional security requirements. DRDO has reportedly been directed to license missile technologies to private-sector companies.
The Astra, developed indigenously by DRDO, is designed to engage aerial targets beyond a pilot’s direct visual range and has a range exceeding 100 kilometres.
The initiative would align with the Ministry of Defence’s objective of creating a unified production pipeline involving both defence public sector undertakings and private firms. Bharat Dynamics Limited currently remains the principal production agency for these missiles.
Greater private-sector participation could help expand production capacity and strengthen India’s indigenous defence manufacturing ecosystem.
