- HAL to build and launch Small Satellite Launch Vehicles (SSLVs) using ISRO technology.
- Deal worth ₹511 crore enables HAL to modify and market SSLVs post-2027.
- Aims to position India as a global leader in small satellite launches.
In a significant step toward privatizing India’s space sector, Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) has secured a ₹511 crore contract from ISRO to take over end-to-end production of the Small Satellite Launch Vehicle (SSLV).
This initiative marks a departure from earlier models where private players only acted as suppliers. From August 2027, HAL will gain full autonomy to manufacture, customize, and commercially operate SSLVs.
India’s Space Race Goes Private: HAL to Take Charge of SSLV Launches
The Small Satellite Launch Vehicle (SSLV) is India’s answer to a rising global need for smaller, faster, and cheaper space launch solutions. Its modular design allows for streamlined assembly and quick turnaround, making it attractive to commercial clients. With ISRO having completed three developmental flights, HAL will now replicate and scale up production.
The selection of HAL followed a rigorous two-phase process led by top scientific advisors. The bid defeated proposals from both Adani-backed Alpha Design Technologies and Bharat Dynamics Ltd, highlighting HAL’s edge in aerospace manufacturing and government trust.
Under this agreement, HAL will initially work closely with ISRO to build two SSLVs. Over time, the public-sector giant will be allowed to innovate independently—adjusting the launch vehicle’s specifications, choosing vendors, and creating its own market strategies for clients across the globe.
India’s NewSpace India Limited (NSIL) is also strategically planning a series of 15 SSLV launches through HAL to consolidate India’s market share. Early launches scheduled for late 2025 and early 2026 will serve as a demonstration of India’s readiness to enter the competitive commercial launch sector.
This partnership between ISRO and HAL could redefine India’s position in the global space economy by enabling rapid, low-cost access to space through domestically built SSLVs.
“We want India to become the global hub for small satellite launches.” – Pawan Goenka, Chairman, IN-SPACe
