Reliance Infrastructure has become the first private sector company in India to design and develop four types of new generation 155mm artillery ammunition. This marks a major milestone in India’s defence manufacturing sector under the ‘Make in India’ initiative.
Reliance ammunition developed under DRDO programme ready for rollout
The ammunition has been developed under the Design-cum-Production Partner programme of the Armament Research and Development Establishment (ARDE), a unit of the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO). All development work is based on fully indigenous technology.
A Reliance Infrastructure spokesperson confirmed that the development work on all four projectiles has been completed. Ten Indian companies have been fully integrated into the supply chain, and production can start immediately.
Reliance is expecting orders worth Rs 10,000 crore from Defence Ministry
The company expects to receive orders worth Rs 10,000 crore from the Indian Ministry of Defence (MoD) over the next 10 years. With the Army’s expenditure on ammunition projected to rise from Rs 7,000 crore in 2023 to Rs 12,000 crore per year by 2032, Reliance is well positioned to secure a significant share.
Given the advantages of range and accuracy offered by the new ammunition, Reliance Infrastructure is also planning to enter the export market. The company estimates an additional Rs 10,000 crore in export revenue over the next decade.
Reliance eyes top spot among India’s defence exporters
In a competitive selection process, Reliance was the only private company chosen for the project, alongside public sector firm Yantra India.
Reliance is also setting up a greenfield explosives and ammunition manufacturing facility in Ratnagiri, Maharashtra. This plant, being developed within the Dhirubhai Ambani Defence City, involves an investment of Rs 5,000 crore.
As per a recent report by KPMG, expenditure on ammunition by the Indian Army will go up from Rs 7,000 crore in 2023 to Rs 12,000 crore per annum by 2032.
This development strengthens Reliance Infrastructure’s goal of becoming one of the top three exporters of defence hardware and services from India, aligning with the country’s strategic push for self-reliance in defence production.