Increasing demand from allies means India set to open the missile sector to private players: Report
Astra Mark 2 and Pralay missiles could be the first two missiles being made available for private Indian firms; the defence ministry will soon float a request for proposal
Driven by escalating global demand for Indian rocket and missile systems, particularly from friendly nations like Indonesia for the Astra beyond-visual-range air-to-air missile, the Indian government is set to open up the sector to private players. This move aims to alleviate the burden on state-owned Bharat Dynamics Ltd., which is struggling to meet existing demands, and will involve the defense ministry issuing a request for proposal for private companies like ICOMM, Adani, Bharat Forge, Tata, and Mahindra to join missile production. Initially, the private sector will focus on manufacturing the Astra Mark 2 missiles, with the potential to later produce the 500km-range Pralay tactical ballistic missile, a high-precision, low-altitude trajectory weapon designed for theater-level strikes.
Driven by escalating global demand for Indian rocket and missile systems, particularly from friendly nations like Indonesia for the Astra beyond-visual-range air-to-air missile, the Indian government is set to open up the sector to private players. This move aims to alleviate the burden on state-owned Bharat Dynamics Ltd., which is struggling to meet existing demands, and will involve the defense ministry issuing a request for proposal for private companies like ICOMM, Adani, Bharat Forge, Tata, and Mahindra to join missile production. Initially, the private sector will focus on manufacturing the Astra Mark 2 missiles, with the potential to later produce the 500km-range Pralay tactical ballistic missile, a high-precision, low-altitude trajectory weapon designed for theater-level strikes.
Driven by escalating global demand for Indian rocket and missile systems, particularly from friendly nations like Indonesia for the Astra beyond-visual-range air-to-air missile, the Indian government is set to open up the sector to private players. This move aims to alleviate the burden on state-owned Bharat Dynamics Ltd., which is struggling to meet existing demands, and will involve the defense ministry issuing a request for proposal for private companies like ICOMM, Adani, Bharat Forge, Tata, and Mahindra to join missile production. Initially, the private sector will focus on manufacturing the Astra Mark 2 missiles, with the potential to later produce the 500km-range Pralay tactical ballistic missile, a high-precision, low-altitude trajectory weapon designed for theater-level strikes.
The increasing demand for Indian rocket and missile systems among friendly nations means the government will open up the sector for private players, a report claimed.
The state-owned Bharat Dynamics Ltd becoming overburdened and unable to keep up with the ever-increasing demands of the armed forces as well as buyers could be the reason for the crucial decision. As per the report, the defence ministry will soon float a request for proposal (RFP) inviting Indian private companies and conglomerates to join the production race.
Initially, the private sector will be asked to develop the Astra Mark 2 missiles, Hindustan Times said in a report. ICOMM, Adani, Bharat Forge, the Tata group and the Mahindra group were named among the players who could enter the race to manufacture the 180-200km-range missiles, the report said.
Indonesia's interest in acquiring the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO)-developed Astra beyond-visual-range (BVR) air-to-air missiles is said to have played a part in the decision. These lethal weapons can be integrated with Tejas Mark 1-A, MiG-29, Su-30 MKI and Rafale Marine fighters, and were part of the Indian Air Force's arsenal during Operation Sindoor.
THE WEEK had earlier reported that Astra is technologically and economically superior to many imported missile systems, making it an attractive option for countries looking to enhance their air combat capability.
Later on, the manufacturing of the 500km-range Pralay tactical ballistic missile could also be up for grabs for private players, the report said. Pralay is a short-range surface-to-surface missile designed as a theatre-level operational strike system for the Indian Army rather than a strategic deterrent.
It uses a two-stage solid propellant motor with a manoeuvrable re-entry vehicle, allowing controlled flight and high precision against time-sensitive targets. Capable of reaching a max speed of Mach 1.6, it follows a quasi-ballistic, low-altitude trajectory that complicates detection and interception.