Raksha Mantri approves revised SOP for Indian defence industry's use of MoD proof ranges, field firing ranges and test facilities
On 7 October 2026, Raksha Mantri Rajnath Singh approved a revised Standard Operating Procedure for utilisation of MoD proof ranges, field firing ranges and test facilities by the Indian defence industry, waiving proof/testing charges for iDEX, TDF, Make and other MoD developmental projects.
Summary
Raksha Mantri Rajnath Singh has approved a revised Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for the utilisation of Ministry of Defence proof ranges, field firing ranges and test facilities by the Indian defence industry, the Ministry of Defence said on 7 October 2026. The SOP waives proof and testing charges for iDEX, TDF, Make and other MoD developmental projects, lists the ranges and laboratory facilities of DRDO, Government Quality Assurance agencies and the three Services open to industry, and reserves a three-day slot per quarter at proof ranges for developmental projects. The earlier arbitration provision has been replaced with a simpler Conciliation Agreement Clause to speed up resolution of issues and improve ease of doing business for indigenous defence firms.
Key facts
- Approved by
- Raksha Mantri Rajnath Singh (announced 7 October 2026)
- Subject
- Utilisation of MoD Proof Ranges, Field Firing Ranges & Test Facilities by Indian defence industry
- Charges waived
- For iDEX, TDF, Make and other MoD developmental projects
- Facilities listed
- Of DRDO, Government Quality Assurance agencies and the three Services
- Reserved slot
- Three days per quarter at Proof Ranges for developmental projects
- Dispute resolution
- Arbitration replaced by Conciliation Agreement Clause
- Aim
- Atmanirbharta in Defence, ease of doing business, indigenisation and exports
Practice MCQs 2 questions
Under the revised SOP for use of MoD proof ranges by Indian defence industry (October 2026), the earlier arbitration provision was replaced by:
Show answer
Correct answer: C — A Conciliation Agreement Clause
The revised SOP approved by the Raksha Mantri in October 2026 reserves how long a slot per quarter at Proof Ranges for proof firing of developmental projects?
Show answer
Correct answer: D — Three days