Reliance Defence gets 12 industrial licences approved from DIPP

Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion (DIPP) has approved 12 industrial licences to Reliance Defence, which is an arm of Reliance Infrastructure. The licenses allow the Anil Ambani-led group to manufacture a wide range of defence equipment.

DIPP’s licence approval for Reliance Defence’s strategic business units is largely aimed at addressing defence programmes in India and overseas.

"The foray of Reliance into these areas will give added traction to the Indian government's Make in India and Skill India initiatives," a senior official of the company said.

Talking about the aerospace segment, Reliance Defence is looking forward to meet amphibious aircraft requirements of the Indian Navy, which are pegged at Rs 9,000 crore, and light utility helicopters, which stands at more than Rs 20,000 crore.

Not only this, there is also a requirement of 160-200 medium-to-heavy helicopters, a deal that stands at Rs 50,000 crore.

In addition, the transport and the combat aircraft requirements for the IAF in the next 10 years will be in excess of Rs 60,000 crore, and Reliance Defence is also eyeing this as a probable opportunity.

Talking about the international projects, Reliance Strategic Electronics Division (SED) is aiming to target the global market of USD 7 billion to manufacture night vision devices (NVDs) and surveillance ones, especially for the markets in Middle East, Africa and South America.