ISRO Sells Rocket Tech to Indian Firm for 1st Time — HAL Secures the Deal

For the first time, an Indian company has received full technology from ISRO to build rockets. The public sector defence firm Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) has secured the manufacturing rights for ISRO's Small Satellite Launch Vehicle (SSLV). This major move comes through a Rs 511 crore technology transfer deal, as announced by IN-SPACe, the government body that promotes space activities.

This is a landmark moment in India’s space journey. Unlike previous cases like the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV), where a group of companies was involved, this time HAL alone will handle the entire production, sale, and launch of the SSLV. HAL now fully owns this rocket and has the right to operate it independently.

How HAL Won the Bid

Rajeev Jyoti, IN-SPACe Director (Technical), explained that the selection happened in 2 stages. First, nine companies showed interest, from which six were shortlisted. Later, three finalists were reviewed by a committee led by former government science advisor Prof. Vijay Raghavan and ex-ISRO director Suresh. After evaluating both technical and commercial aspects, HAL emerged as the top bidder with its ₹511 crore proposal.

HAL competed as a single company, while the other two shortlisted bidders were consortiums led by Alpha Design (Bangalore) and Bharat Dynamics Limited (Hyderabad).

HAL’s Future Plans in Rocket Manufacturing

HAL aims to build 6 to 10 SSLVs per year, depending on demand.  In the coming next 2 years, ISRO will guide HAL in making 2 prototype rockets. After this, HAL will be free to manage production, modify designs, and select partners independently. The final contract will also define how much responsibility HAL will bear for rocket launches, based on Indian government regulations.

This development paves the way for India to have private rocket manufacturers. With HAL stepping into this role, India is likely to see the rise of a new space industry, opening up many future opportunities. HAL’s entry marks a bold new chapter in India’s space journey.