New Delhi: In a major development, the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has given a green signal to the private sector entities to both develop and produce missile systems such as vertical launched surface to air missile systems programme.

The move is slated to boost the indigenous defence manufacturing ecosystem in the country and realise the ‘Make in India’ project of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

The initiative will enable the private sector industries to take part in the development of complex military systems for the nation.

“Under the Development cum Production Partner (DCPP) programme, we have allowed the private sector to co-develop missile systems with us and then also produce them,” senior DRDO officials said.

“Private sector firms have responded very enthusiastically for participation and bids have been received for the Vertically-launched Short-range Surface to Air Missile system (VL-SRSAM) project,” they said.

Notably, the VL-SRSAM missile project entails the development of an all-weather air defence missile system that will provide point and area defence against various aerial targets like jets, fighter aircraft, unmanned aerial vehicles.

The DRDO has also helped private sector industry including Tata and Baba Kalyani industries to develop the ATAGS howitzer which is likely to be the main artillery gun for the Indian Army in the next many decades.