First PSLV made by private firms to be unveiled in 2026, says ISRO Chairman
S&T – SPACE
7 NOVEMBER 2025
- Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) Chairman V. Narayanan said on Thursday that the first Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) rocket developed by a private consortium, led by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) and L&T, would be launched in February 2026.
- Speaking during the inauguration of the India Manufacturing Show 2025 in Bengaluru, he said, “The consortiums led by HAL and L&T have produced the first rocket and we are going to have the launch by February 2026. Once we succeed with two launches, our plan is to give at least 50% of the PSLV directly to the Indian industry consortium.”
- He added that about 80% to 85% of the systems are developed by private industries.
- “On November 2, the ISRO’s heaviest communication satellite CMS-03 was placed successfully in the orbit for enhancing the communication capability of India using our own Bahubali rocket LVM-3 M5. This mission is launched by the ISRO, no doubt but if you look at the contribution almost 80% to 85% systems are delivered by Indian industry that speaks volume of the contribution by the Indian industries,” he added.
- 450 Indian industries
- He said that about 450 Indian industries are contributing towards the Indian space programme and today, 330 plus start-up ecosystems are working in the country.
- “The Indian space programme, when it was started, was 70 years behind the developed nations. By 2040… the programme will be on par with any other space-faring nations in terms of launchers, satellites, human space flight programme and applications,” he said.
- Speaking on the occasion, Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) Chairman Samir V. Kamat said that the contribution of the Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises (MSME) sector was very significant during Operation Sindoor.
- He further said that for a country to retain its sovereignty, it is very important to indigenously develop critical technologies.