ISRO eyes 50% PSLV handover to industry after successful launches
HAL-L&T-led consortium to take over half the workhorse rocket's development by 2026, building on 80% current private sector role.
Newsroom, November 07, 2025: The Indian Space Research Organisation plans to shift at least half of its PSLV rocket development responsibilities to a domestic industry group led by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited and Larsen & Toubro, following two consecutive successful launches by the consortium.
The PSLV, India's reliable satellite launcher, has already seen its first unit produced by the group, with the initial flight slated for February 2026, at the close of the current financial year. This step aims to leverage private sector capabilities, which currently handle 80-85% of mission components, including 80% for the recent CMS-03 satellite deployment via the LVM3-M5 vehicle.
V Narayanan, ISRO's director of human space flight, outlined the transition, stating that the agency intends to entrust 50% of PSLV activities directly to the consortium once the launches prove reliable. The move reflects a broader strategy to foster self-reliance in space manufacturing, reducing costs and accelerating timelines for future missions.
