New Delhi: Reliance Defence Limited (Reliance Defence), promoted by Reliance Infrastructure Limited, announced Wednesday it has secured an export order worth Rs 600 crore from Rheinmetall Waffe Munition GmbH, a leading German defence and ammunition manufacturer.
Reliance Defence’s export order is one of the largest in the high-tech ammunition domain to date in the Indian private sector.
This is part of the recently announced strategic partnership with Rheinmetall that aims to manufacture explosives and propellants for medium and large calibre ammunition for international customers.
A statement released by Reliance Defence quoted Armin Papperger, CEO of Rheinmetall AG as saying, “This strategic partnership of Rheinmetall with Reliance Defence led by Anil Ambani’s Reliance Group illustrates our strong commitment to partner with India under the strong leadership of Prime Minister Modi”.
Anil D. Ambani, Founder Chairman, Reliance Group said, “The strategic partnership with Rheinmetall brings cutting-edge capabilities to India and represents a defining milestone for the country’s private defence manufacturing sector”.
Reliance Defence will establish an integrated facility for the manufacturing of explosives, ammunition, and small arms under the ambitious Dhirubhai Ambani Defence City (DADC) initiative.
The DADC is being developed in the Watad industrial area of Ratnagiri, Maharashtra, and is set to become the largest greenfield project in the defence sector ever undertaken by any private company in India.
Incidentally, in 2012, the German company was blacklisted by the Indian defence ministry over allegations of corruption. The ban was extended for three more years this year, which means the Indian defence forces cannot sign a deal with the company.
Incidentally, state-run Munitions India Limited had sold close to 500 tonnes of explosives to the Germany company in 2023 and early 2024.
(Edited by Viny Mishra)
Also read: Reliance Defence ties up with German arms maker Rheinmetall AG to make explosives for export markets