SSLV acquisition strategic, we’ll look at redesign in future: HAL

BENGALURU: Defence PSU

Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd

’s (HAL) winning Rs 511 crore bid for the

Small Satellite Launch Vehicle

(SSLV) wasn’t just about cost — it was a strategic move to own design capabilities and begin charting an independent path in India’s launch vehicle ecosystem. The bid, which was significantly higher than competing offers in the Rs 250–310 crore range, was deliberate, HAL CMD DK Sunil told TOI in an interview.“Our internal estimates were close to what we quoted — slightly lower, but in that range. This is a long-term play. We didn’t want to just manufacture. We wanted to understand the rocket, build a cadre, and eventually modify the design ourselves,” he added.Unlike HAL’s earlier collaborations with L&T on the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV), the

SSLV project

marks a shift. It’s a full transfer of technology (ToT) agreement, with HAL taking sole responsibility — not just for manufacturing, but also for absorbing the design and systems architecture.

The formal agreement with Space PSU

NewSpace India Ltd

(Nsil) is expected to be signed by the end of July, after which HAL will begin building two SSLV prototypes.Sunil sees this as a beginning. “The idea is to take baby steps. We want to understand avionics, structures, rocket parts, the entire stack. It’s not about redesigning in two or three years. But ten years down the line, yes, I would be very happy if HAL builds a rocket from scratch.”The move comes as demand for launch vehicles catering to low-Earth orbit (LEO) small satellite constellations rises — both in the commercial and strategic sectors. HAL’s interest in SSLV is not just about assembling hardware, but about developing a future-facing business vertical in rocketry. The immediate focus is on learning and integration, but the eventual goal is autonomy in design and adaptability to different mission profiles.Meanwhile, HAL-L&T work on the PSLV is expected to achieve a milestone later this year. The first rocket built entirely by industry is expected to launch around Oct-Nov 2025. The contract is purely for fabrication, using Isro’s design and established supply chain. Even so, it has seen initial delays.“There were some issues with sourcing materials, and the external environment has contributed to some slowdown,” Sunil admitted. “But integration is under way. These are still early days, but we’re now in better shape,” he added.Despite the differences in scope, HAL’s engagement with both PSLV and SSLV signals a broader repositioning of the aerospace PSU — from being a supplier of structures to becoming a deeper stakeholder in space systems. The SSLV project, in particular, marks the beginning of HAL’s ambition to design, adapt, and one day build rockets of its own.“It’s a journey,” said Sunil. “Like how we built our aircraft capability over decades. We are starting that journey now for space.”