Defence Testing Costs Waived for Key Development Projects Under Revised Government Rules.
India’s Dhanush Artillery Gun.
India MoD’s new SoP for use of Proof Range by private companies: India has taken another step towards strengthening its domestic defence industry by simplifying access to military testing facilities and removing testing charges for selected development projects. The revised rules are intended to make it easier for Indian manufacturers, startups and innovators to test new defence equipment, reduce development costs and bring home-grown technologies closer to operational use.
Approved by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on 7 October 2026, the revised Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) sets out a simplified process for using proof ranges, field firing ranges and laboratory testing facilities operated by the Ministry of Defence (MoD). The changes cover access procedures, testing charges, documentation, dispute resolution and dedicated testing slots for developmental projects.
Although the announcement is part of the government’s wider push for defence self-reliance, its significance lies in addressing a practical challenge faced by manufacturers: developing a defence product is not enough. Equipment must also undergo rigorous testing to establish that it meets the required standards of safety, quality, reliability and performance.
By making these facilities more accessible, the government hopes to help domestic companies overcome some of the administrative and financial barriers that can slow down defence innovation.
What are proof ranges and defence testing facilities?
Defence equipment cannot be introduced into military service simply because it works in a laboratory or performs well during an initial demonstration. Weapons, ammunition, vehicles and other military systems must undergo specialised assessments to determine whether they can operate safely and reliably under demanding conditions.
Proof ranges are facilities where weapons, ammunition and related equipment undergo proof testing to assess their safety and structural integrity under specified conditions. Such testing can involve firing equipment under controlled procedures to verify that it can withstand the required pressures and operating conditions.
Field firing ranges provide designated areas for firing trials and other assessments of weapons systems. Depending on the facility and the equipment involved, testing may help establish performance, accuracy, reliability and suitability for intended operational conditions.
Laboratory testing facilities serve a different but complementary purpose. They can be used to evaluate components, materials, electronics and other technical characteristics before or alongside field trials.
These facilities are particularly important for manufacturers developing new products or adapting existing technologies for defence applications. Without access to suitable testing infrastructure, even a promising innovation can face delays before it is ready for further evaluation or potential procurement.
The revised SOP identifies facilities available through the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), government quality assurance agencies and the three armed services, giving industry a clearer framework for accessing the testing infrastructure available across the defence establishment.
Why testing charges are being waived for development projects
One of the most significant changes is the waiver of proof and testing charges for projects undertaken under Innovations for Defence Excellence (iDEX), the Technology Development Fund (TDF), the Make framework and other developmental projects of the Ministry of Defence.
The waiver is intended to encourage indigenous defence development by reducing the financial burden associated with testing.
For a large manufacturer, testing expenses may form part of a wider research and development budget. For a startup or a small enterprise, however, the same costs can represent a significant obstacle, particularly when a product requires several rounds of testing and modification.
Reducing these charges could allow companies to direct more resources towards engineering, prototyping, product improvements and further technical validation.
The measure also recognises that developmental projects carry uncertainty. A prototype may need repeated adjustments before it meets the required performance standards, and testing is an essential part of identifying weaknesses and improving a design.
The revised rules do not establish a blanket waiver for every defence industry test. The stated exemption applies to the specified developmental categories, while charges may still apply to other activities. The SOP also sets out procedures for calculating and paying charges wherever they remain applicable.
This distinction is important because the policy is designed to support innovation and development rather than eliminate every cost associated with the use of government testing infrastructure.
India’s ATAGS Howitzer.
Dedicated testing slots aim to reduce delays
The revised SOP also reserves a three-day slot every quarter at proof ranges for proof firing of developmental projects sponsored by the government, including iDEX, TDF, Make and other Ministry of Defence initiatives.
The provision also covers developmental projects undertaken independently by the indigenous defence industry.
Access to suitable testing facilities can be a major scheduling challenge when several organisations need to use specialised infrastructure. Delays in securing a slot can hold up product development, increase costs and affect the ability of a company to meet project milestones.
A dedicated quarterly window could provide greater predictability for manufacturers planning their development programmes. It may also help smaller firms coordinate the availability of prototypes, technical teams and supporting equipment.
However, the practical impact will depend on how the reserved slots are allocated, how many projects can be accommodated and whether the facilities available are suitable for the equipment being tested.
The three-day provision is therefore a mechanism to improve access, rather than a guarantee that every applicant will complete all required tests within a particular period.
Simpler procedures and clearer testing charges
Another objective of the revised SOP is to make the process of applying for and using testing facilities more transparent.
The document includes the necessary formats and explains the procedures for allotment and utilisation of proof ranges and laboratory testing facilities. It also incorporates the calculation and payment process for testing charges wherever applicable.
Clearer documentation can reduce uncertainty for manufacturers unfamiliar with the procedures followed by different government agencies and military establishments.
For companies working on complex defence products, administrative delays can be as disruptive as technical challenges. A more consistent process could help businesses plan testing schedules, prepare documentation correctly and understand their financial obligations in advance.
The SOP’s consolidated listing of available facilities is also significant because it gives manufacturers a clearer picture of the infrastructure accessible through DRDO, quality assurance agencies and the armed services.
Ultimately, the benefit will depend on whether the procedures are implemented consistently and whether industry receives timely information about facility availability, eligibility requirements and testing conditions.
India’s Khagantak-243 Glide Bomb.
Conciliation replaces arbitration to resolve disputes
The revised SOP replaces the arbitration provision in the existing procedure with a simpler, industry-friendly conciliation agreement clause.
Conciliation is a method of resolving disputes through the assistance of a neutral third party who helps the parties work towards an agreed settlement. Unlike arbitration, which generally involves an arbitrator making a decision under the applicable process, conciliation focuses on facilitating an agreement between the parties.
The change is intended to make dispute resolution more accessible and support the government’s broader Ease of Doing Business agenda.
For domestic defence manufacturers, disagreements over testing arrangements, procedures or related issues can create uncertainty and delay development work. A less cumbersome resolution mechanism could help address such problems without allowing them to disrupt projects unnecessarily.
The effectiveness of the change will depend on the precise terms of the conciliation clause and how disputes are handled in practice. Nevertheless, the revision signals an effort to make interactions between the government testing establishment and domestic industry more responsive to manufacturers’ needs.
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How the revised SOP fits into India’s defence self-reliance drive
The changes form part of India’s wider effort to reduce dependence on imported defence equipment by expanding domestic manufacturing, encouraging innovation and developing indigenous technologies.
Initiatives such as iDEX seek to connect innovators and startups with defence-related challenges, while the TDF supports the development of technologies relevant to defence applications. The Make framework provides another route for pursuing indigenous equipment development.
For these initiatives to deliver results, companies need more than funding and policy support. They also require access to testing infrastructure, technical expertise and a predictable route for demonstrating that their products meet military requirements.
The revised SOP seeks to address this part of the development process by lowering specified testing costs, simplifying access and providing dedicated slots for eligible projects.
It could be particularly helpful to startups and smaller manufacturers that are developing technologies but lack their own specialised testing infrastructure. Easier access may also encourage more companies to enter the defence sector and collaborate with established manufacturers.
However, access to testing facilities is only one stage in the journey from innovation to military deployment. Products must still satisfy the relevant technical requirements, complete applicable evaluations and progress through procurement processes where necessary.
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The real test will be implementation
The revised SOP offers a practical measure to support India’s domestic defence industry by addressing some of the costs and procedural hurdles associated with testing new equipment.
Its success will depend on whether manufacturers can obtain timely access to suitable facilities, whether the revised procedures reduce delays and whether the testing process helps promising technologies progress towards adoption.
The waiver of charges for eligible development projects could free up resources for innovation, while dedicated quarterly slots and simpler dispute resolution could make project planning more predictable.
For India, the broader objective is to create a defence manufacturing ecosystem in which domestic companies can develop, test and improve equipment without facing unnecessary barriers. If implemented effectively, the revised rules could help turn more indigenous ideas into technically validated products and strengthen the country’s long-term ambitions for defence self-reliance.
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