Subhechcha Ganguly 
In a significant step towards strengthening India’s self-reliance in defence production, the Ministry of Defence has opened the development and manufacturing of missiles, artillery shells, ammunition, and ordnance to the private sector. The move aims to ensure that India maintains adequate firepower during prolonged conflicts, aligning with the vision of Aatmanirbhar Bharat.
According to sources, an amendment has been made to the Revenue Procurement Manual (RPM), removing the earlier requirement for private companies to obtain a No-Objection Certificate (NOC) from state-run Munitions India Limited (MIL) before setting up ammunition production units.
This policy shift comes amid lessons learned from Operation Sindoor, which underscored the growing importance of stand-off weapons and long-range conventional missiles in modern warfare. Until now, Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL) and Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL), under the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), were the exclusive manufacturers of missile systems like Akash, Astra, Konkurs, and Milan, as well as torpedoes.
With Pakistan deploying Chinese-made long-range air-to-air and air-to-surface missiles during the operation, the Modi government has assessed that India’s private defence firms must actively participate in developing conventional missile systems—while strategic missile programs remain under DRDO’s domain. Experts note that India needs more advanced conventional systems such as BrahMos, Nirbhay, Pralay, and Shaurya, as future conflicts will rely heavily on stand-off and anti-missile capabilities rather than traditional fighter aircraft engagements.
The impact of this technological shift was evident during Operation Sindoor, when India’s S-400 air defence system reportedly neutralized a Pakistani ELINT aircraft deep inside Punjab province on May 10.
Opening the missile and ammunition sectors to private participation also addresses concerns about supply shortages during extended hostilities. With global conflicts—from Ukraine to Gaza—creating high demand for defence equipment, India aims to prevent dependence on expensive, short-notice imports. Meanwhile, Pakistan continues to benefit from a steady flow of Chinese military supplies.
The latest reforms, insiders say, are designed to secure India’s long-term defence preparedness while driving domestic innovation in line with the Aatmanirbhar Bharat mission.
