India, July 12 -- India is preparing to open parts of its missile manufacturing sector to private companies as demand for indigenous defence systems from friendly countries continues to grow. According to reports, the Defence Ministry is expected to invite private firms to manufacture select missile systems, marking a significant shift in India's defence production strategy.

The move is aimed at increasing production capacity while supporting the country's growing defence exports under the Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiative. Reports suggest that the Astra Mark 2 beyond-visual-range air-to-air missile and the Pralay tactical missile could be among the first systems produced by private Indian firms, subject to government approvals and procurem...