India’s Private Sector Industry will now manufacture arms and ammunition

These businesses have been permitted to manufacture ammunition and missiles

New Delhi – The Indian Government has taken a very important step to increase the self-reliance of the Defence Sector. The Defence Ministry has given permission to the Private Sector to manufacture arms and ammunition. This decision will make the Indian Armed Forces self-sufficient if the war situation is prolonged for a long period. They will not in such a situation have to face a shortage of arms and ammunition. Till now this sector was completely under the control of Government Sector; but now Private Sector too will be able to participate too.

The government has reportedly amended the Revenue Procurement Manual (RPM). It has eliminated the need for private bombs and ammunition manufacturers to obtain a no-objection certificate(NOC) from Munitions India Limited (MIL) before setting up an ammunition unit. Under the new framework, private firms can now produce a wide range of defence munitions—such as 105 mm, 130 mm, and 150 mm artillery shells, Pinaka missiles, 1000-pound bombs, mortar rounds, handgrenades, and small to medium calibre ammunition.

Private sector given the opportunity to manufacture Missiles

Additionally, the Defence Ministry has reportedly informed the DRDO about its decision to involve private firms in missile development and integration. Till now BDL and Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) under DRDO are the sole manufacturers of missiles and surface to air missile systems such as Akash, Astra, Konkurs, Milan and also of torpedos. But during the ‘Operation Sindoor’ the  Defence Ministry realised that in the situation of long war, it will be a fight with missiles. Hence it is necessary that there is a participation of the Private Sector.