Defence Ministry Drops Test Fees, Sets Quarterly Slots for Indigenous Projects

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has signed a new operating procedure that eliminates testing fees for several government‑backed defence projects. The revised rules waive all proof‑firing and laboratory test charges for initiatives under iDEX, the Technology Development Fund, the Make programme and other ministry‑sponsored development schemes. A dedicated three‑day window every quarter is now blocked at the nation’s proof ranges for these projects to carry out live‑fire trials. The same reserved periods can also be used by Indian defence firms that launch their own development work without waiting for separate approval. The SOP lists the specific proof ranges, field‑firing sites and lab facilities owned by DRDO, government quality‑assurance bodies and the three armed services that companies may book. It also adds a clear formula for any remaining charges, aiming to cut paperwork and make the cost process predictable. The older arbitration step has been swapped for a conciliation agreement, a move meant to settle disputes between users and authorities more quickly. Access to these ranges is crucial for testing weapons, ammunition and platforms before they are cleared for service, especially for startups and smaller private firms that lack their own test sites. By removing cost barriers and simplifying access, the ministry hopes to boost indigenous design, speed up innovation and raise defence exports.

Context

Testing sites are a bottleneck for new defence hardware; easing entry helps smaller companies participate in the push for self‑reliance and can accelerate the development of home‑grown weapons.