Reliance Infrastructure Announces ₹10,000 Crore Investment for India’s Largest Defence Project in Ratnagiri

Mumbai, Maharashtra – In a significant move for India’s defense manufacturing sector, Anil Ambani’s Reliance Infrastructure Ltd has unveiled plans to invest ₹10,000 crore over the next decade for the establishment of India’s largest integrated project in Ratnagiri, Maharashtra. The Dhirubhai Ambani Defence City (DADC), set to be developed on a sprawling 1,000 acres in the Watad Industrial Area, aims to manufacture explosives, ammunition, and small arms.

The company has declared that DADC will represent the largest greenfield project undertaken by any private sector company in the country’s defense arena. Joining the ranks of industry leaders like Tata Group, Adani, and Larsen & Toubro, Reliance Infrastructure is making a strong foray into the defense manufacturing domain.

According to the company’s statement, “Reliance Infrastructure will invest over ₹10,000 crore over the next 10 years.” The firm has a notable track record, having exported defense equipment worth more than ₹1,000 crore through its subsidiaries. Jai Armaments Ltd and Reliance Defence Ltd, both wholly-owned subsidiaries, already possess government licenses for arms and ammunition manufacturing.

The ambitious project foresees potential partnerships with up to six leading global defense companies, aiming to offer a diverse range of ammunition products, including both small and large calibers, as well as terminally guided munitions (TGM). Additionally, the small arms portfolio is expected to cater to export markets for civil and military applications. However, the statement did not reveal the names of potential joint venture partners.

Reliance Infrastructure has previously established joint ventures with prominent French defense firms, including Dassault Aviation and Thales, further underlining its commitment to enhancing India’s defense manufacturing capabilities.