Apollo Signs MoU with US Firm for Indigenous Rocket Motor Production

Apollo Strategic Technologies Private Limited (ASTPL), a subsidiary of Apollo Defence Industries Private Limited (ADIPL) and a step down subsidiary of Apollo Micro Systems Limited, has announced the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with US based Dynamic Engineering and Design Incorporation (DEDI). The agreement, formalized at DSEI London on September 10, 2025, covers technology transfer, codevelopment, and potential licensed production of rocket motors for BM-21 Grad ER and Non ER rockets. The partnership is expected to play a key role in India’s push towards self reliance in defence manufacturing under the Make in India initiative. Rocket motors, which form the propulsion backbone of artillery rockets, are critical in determining the range, thrust, accuracy, and stability of such systems. By producing them domestically, India can reduce dependency on imports, lower lifecycle costs, and scale up production swiftly when required.

Apollo Group has already achieved a milestone with the successful in house development of the 122mm rocket warhead and is preparing for immediate trials. Full scale production is expected by mid 2026. The collaboration with DEDI will allow the company to integrate its indigenously built warheads with domestically manufactured rocket motors, positioning Apollo among the first private Indian firms capable of offering an entirely in country developed rocket system of this class. The BM-21 Grad rocket system, a 122mm artillery rocket, is widely deployed globally and valued for its rapid fire capability and strike range of up to 40 km. Its demand in the defence market remains high, as it is primarily used for area saturation and battlefield suppression missions.

Speaking about the development, Apollo stated that this initiative will help establish a robust co production ecosystem in India, enabling indigenous manufacturing of both rocket motors and complete rocket systems. The company emphasized that such strategic moves not only boost India’s defence manufacturing capacity but also strengthen its position as a reliable supplier in the global defence value chain. This MoU marks another significant step in India’s journey toward greater strategic autonomy and self reliance in critical defence technologies.