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In a significant boost to India’s private defence manufacturing sector, Reliance Defence Limited, has secured an export order worth Rs 600 crore from Germany-based Rheinmetall Waffe Munition GmbH — one of the world’s leading defence manufacturers.
The high-value deal is one of the largest ammunition export contracts to date for an Indian firm in the high-tech defence segment. It also marks a major step forward in the strategic partnership recently announced between Reliance Defence and Rheinmetall, as the two companies deepen their collaboration in defence manufacturing and technology sharing.
Strengthening India’s Global Defence Footprint
The partnership comes at a time when India is actively pushing for greater self-reliance in defence through its Atmanirbhar Bharat and Make in India initiatives. Reliance Defence has stated that the collaboration reflects a shared commitment to enhancing indigenous capabilities and developing India as a major hub in the global defence supply chain.
Commenting on the alliance, Armin Papperger, CEO of Rheinmetall AG, said, “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 leadership of Prime Minister Modi.”
Anil D. Ambani, Founder Chairman of Reliance Group, highlighted the long-term vision of the collaboration, stating, “The strategic partnership with Rheinmetall brings cutting-edge capabilities to India and represents a defining milestone for the country’s private defence manufacturing sector. Guided by the vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat, our ambition is clear — to position Reliance Defence among the world’s Top 3 defence exporters.”
Major Export Plans and Dhirubhai Ambani Defence City
Reliance Defence plans to leverage the new contract to solidify its presence in key international markets, particularly Europe. As part of its expansion strategy, the company is establishing a state-of-the-art integrated manufacturing complex under the ambitious Dhirubhai Ambani Defence City (DADC) project. Located in the Watad industrial area of Ratnagiri, Maharashtra, the facility is set to become the largest greenfield defence manufacturing hub ever developed by a private enterprise in India.
The DADC will focus on the production of ammunition, explosives, and small arms, and will serve as a nucleus for future export-oriented innovation and industrial capacity in the defence sector.
A Strategic Leap for India’s Defence Exports
With Rheinmetall’s market capitalization hovering around €80 billion (Rs 7.99 lakh crore), the partnership represents a powerful endorsement of India’s growing stature as a defence manufacturing and export hub. Reliance Defence’s new export order not only reaffirms its technological competencies but also highlights the rising role of India’s private sector in meeting stringent global defence standards.
The agreement is expected to pave the way for future joint ventures, co-development initiatives, and expanded defence exports.
