Key Highlights
- Apollo Micro Systems receives lifetime arms manufacturing license from Government of India.
- License issued by DPIIT under Ministry of Commerce and Industry on 10 April 2026.
- Approval covers missiles, torpedoes, aerial bombs, rockets and loitering munitions.
- Annual production capacity set at 1,000 units per category.
- Manufacturing to take place at two Hyderabad-based facilities.
- Move positions the company as an end-to-end defence systems manufacturer.
Apollo Micro Systems Limited has received a significant regulatory approval from the Government of India, marking a major expansion in its defence manufacturing capabilities. The company has been granted a lifetime arms manufacturing license by the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry.
The license, issued on 10 April 2026, authorises the Hyderabad-based defence technology firm to manufacture, assemble and test a wide range of advanced weapon systems and munitions. This development enables the company to transition from a subsystem provider to a full-scale defence systems manufacturer.
The approval covers arms of calibre above 12.7 mm across two categories. The approved systems include missiles, anti-tank guided missiles, torpedoes, underwater mines, aerial bombs, rockets and loitering munitions. It also includes countermeasure systems such as chaffs, flares and decoys.
The company has indicated an annual production capacity of 1,000 units per category. Manufacturing operations will be carried out at two existing facilities located in Hyderabad, including sites in Hardware Park Phase II and IDA Mallapur.
This approval is expected to significantly enhance Apollo Micro Systems’ strategic positioning within the defence sector. The company will now be able to deliver end-to-end weapon systems, including guidance, electronics, integration and final assembly, expanding beyond its existing role in embedded systems and defence electronics.
Additionally, the company’s step-down subsidiary, IDL Explosives Limited, is expected to play a critical role in supporting production. Its expertise in propellants, detonators, pyrotechnics and explosive compositions aligns with the requirements of the newly licensed weapon systems.
Management stated that the license provides a foundation for long-term growth in defence manufacturing, both for domestic requirements and potential exports. The company plans to scale operations in a phased manner while ensuring compliance with regulatory and quality standards.
Apollo Micro Systems, a Tier I defence OEM, has existing relationships with key organisations including DRDO, HAL and BEL. With this latest approval, the company strengthens its position as a comprehensive defence manufacturer aligned with India’s self-reliance initiative in defence production.