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The bidding evaluation panel will be led by the former BrahMos chief to ensure the process is credible, and that only technically viable and globally competitive designs advance
The indigenous Tejas fighter jet as seen in the skies over the Jodhpur air force station. (Image: PTI/File)
Private players in India can now bid alongside public sector undertakings for high-profile contracts in the defence aviation sector, sources told News18.
According to top government sources, India has opened the defence aviation sector to competition as private companies like Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL), Adani, L&T, Bharat Forge, Tata among others, which can now enter the fray when it comes to executing advanced defence projects.
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The bidding evaluation panel will be led by the former BrahMos chief so as to ensure that the process is credible, and that only technically viable and globally competitive designs advance, the sources said.
The sources said this will ensure speed, innovation, and global-standard technology. The DRDO-led programme, backed by leading industry players, will blend state research and development with efficiency, promising faster execution, they said.
They said this initiative has export potential and aims to strengthen India’s long-term defence ecosystem. This will break the decades-old monopoly of government agencies when it comes to building critical defence technology, they added.
The indigenous development of fifth-generation stealth fighters will reduce dependence on foreign suppliers like Russia, France, and the United States, the sources said. Collaboration between Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and sector innovators ensures faster R&D, reduced delays, and more efficient execution as compared to past PSU-dominated projects, they said.
This entry of major private players creates a competitive ecosystem, fuelling Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ in defence and opening opportunities for exports, they said. Additionally, indigenous fighter production will lead to job creation, technology spillover to civilian aerospace, and long-term cost savings while strengthening national security, they added.
Earlier in the day, while speaking at the Defence Accounts Department’s 278th Foundation Day on Wednesday, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh highlighted the need to create an innovative ecosystem to boost R&D in India that can enhance the defence sector in the face of changing warfare.
“Modern warfare is becoming more and more technology-oriented, which is unbelievable. These days, new technologies are used as a surprise element on a large scale in warfare. This creates a concerning situation for us as well. The modern technology used in modern warfare is based on years and years of research and development, and hence, we cannot ignore it,” Singh said. “It now demands that we prepare an innovative ecosystem that upgrades our defence sector. We all should work in that department.”
(With agency inputs)
About the Author
Group Editor, Investigations & Security Affairs, Network18
Group Editor, Investigations & Security Affairs, Network18
October 01, 2025, 23:37 IST
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