HAL has signed a landmark technology transfer deal with ISRO, IN-SPACe and NSIL to produce and operate the Small Satellite Launch Vehicle (SSLV)
Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) has signed a landmark technology transfer agreement with the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), the Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre (IN-SPACe), and NewSpace India Limited (NSIL) to manufacture and operate the Small Satellite Launch Vehicle (SSLV). The SSLV, a three-stage launch vehicle, is designed to place payloads under 500 kg into Low Earth Orbit (LEO).
Under the agreement, HAL will absorb SSLV technology over two years, followed by a decade-long production phase. The deal provides HAL with a non-exclusive, non-transferable licence to cover all aspects — from design and manufacturing to integration, quality control, launch operations, training, and post-flight analysis. This enables HAL to mass-produce SSLVs to meet both domestic and global demand.
HAL Chairman and Managing Director C.B. Ananthakrishnan (or D.K. Sunil as per HAL’s release) said the initiative marks a critical step in indigenising India’s small satellite launch capacity and building a robust commercial presence. The project is expected to boost opportunities for Indian MSMEs, start-ups, and suppliers within the aerospace ecosystem.
The move also reflects HAL’s broader plan to evolve from being primarily a defence and aerospace components supplier to a full-fledged space launch services provider. By owning and operating SSLVs, HAL aims to establish a dedicated space vertical, aligning with India’s growing space ambitions. This collaboration strengthens public–private partnerships in India’s space sector and positions HAL as a key player in the rapidly expanding global small satellite launch market.
