Indigenous missile programmes are central to *Atmanirbharta* in defence. Examine with reference to recent DRDO successes and the role of private industry.

Missiles are the defence technology most often denied to India. Being able to design and build them at home is therefore a direct test of Atmanirbharta (self-reliance). On 5 November 2026, DRDO flight-tested the indigenous quasi-ballistic missile Pralay in user evaluation trials. The Hindu reported that the test paves the way for its imminent induction [1]. The test shows how far India has come and what still has to be done.

Recent DRDO successes: why they matter for self-reliance

• Indigenous design maturity: Pralay is a conventional surface-to-surface missile. Its maiden flight from Dr APJ Abdul Kalam Island in 2021 was followed by a second test the next day [2].
• User validation: in July 2025, two back-to-back trials validated its maximum and minimum range in front of Army and IAF representatives [3].
• Operational reliability: in December 2025, two missiles were fired in a salvo from one launcher, and both met all objectives [4].
• Strategic autonomy: a home-built conventional strike option reduces dependence on imports and on foreign supply chains during a crisis.

Role of private industry

• Production partner: the Defence Minister congratulated industry partners after the November 2026 test [1]. Industry representatives also watched the salvo trial [4].
• Funding channel: since 2022, a quarter of the defence R&D budget has been set aside for industry, start-ups and academia [6]. The Technology Development Fund gives grants to public and private firms [5].
• Scale: only industry can turn a successful prototype into the numbers needed for deterrence, and into export potential.

Gaps that weaken self-reliance

• Delays: the Standing Committee on Defence (2023) found 23 of 55 high-priority DRDO projects behind schedule [5]. Pralay's procurement was approved in 2022, yet it is still in trials.
• Resource squeeze: R&D's share of the defence budget is falling, to about 7% in 2026-27 (budget estimates) [6].
• Weak review: the Committee asked for project reviews to include technical experts and standard benchmarks [5].

Pralay shows that DRDO has the technology. What will decide self-reliance is how quickly industry can produce it in large numbers. The way forward is time-bound review mechanisms, a steady flow of production orders to private firms and protected R&D funding. These steps would turn trial successes into deployed capability and serve the goal of a secure, self-reliant India.