Germany’s Rheinmetall, India’s Reliance Group Join Forces to Make Ammunition in India: Düsseldorf, Germany & Mumbai, India – [Date of Release, e.g., November 15, 2016] – In a significant move highlighting burgeoning German-Indian defense cooperation, Düsseldorf-based Rheinmetall AG and India’s Reliance Defence Ltd have officially entered into a strategic partnership focused on the crucial field of ammunition. A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) cementing this collaboration has been signed by representatives of both leading companies.
The newly forged alliance is set to enhance both companies’ capabilities and contribute significantly to their respective national defense objectives and global ambitions. A cornerstone of this partnership will see Reliance supply explosives and propellants for medium and large caliber ammunition to Rheinmetall, securing vital raw materials and strengthening Rheinmetall’s supply chains, ultimately benefiting its customers worldwide.
Beyond raw material supply, the two industry leaders also intend to engage in joint marketing activities for select products, with an eye towards expanding their cooperation into further opportunities as they arise.
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Artillery rounds.
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To facilitate this strategic collaboration, Reliance Defence Ltd is slated to establish a cutting-edge greenfield manufacturing facility in the Watad Industrial Area of Ratnagiri, Maharashtra, India. This ambitious project will represent one of the largest such facilities in South Asia, boasting an impressive annual production capacity of up to 200,000 artillery shells, 10,000 tons of explosives, and 2,000 tons of propellants.
For Rheinmetall, this partnership provides invaluable access to key raw materials, ensuring the robustness of its supply chains and unlocking new avenues for growth. In India, the advanced Reliance facility will play a pivotal role in bolstering the domestic supply to the country’s armed forces. Crucially, it will also be instrumental in realizing the Indian government’s ambitious vision of achieving defense exports worth USD 5 billion and contributing to the nation’s broader goal of becoming a USD 5 trillion economic power.
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Armin Papperger, Chairman, Rheinmetall.
Armin Papperger, CEO of Rheinmetall AG, underscored the significance of the collaboration, stating, “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 Ambani, founder of the Reliance Group, echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the transformative nature of the agreement. “We are delighted to partner with Rheinmetall AG, a global major in Defence Industry and a visionary leader like Armin Papperger. This is a transformational moment for the Indian Defence sector and for Reliance Infrastructure’s subsidiary Reliance Defence,” said Mr. Ambani.
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This strategic partnership builds upon Reliance Defence Ltd’s recent announcement regarding its plans for an integrated project for the manufacturing of explosives, ammunition, and small arms under the umbrella of the Dhirubhai Ambani Defence City (DADC). The DADC, currently under construction in the Watad industrial area in Ratnagiri, Maharashtra, is poised to become the largest greenfield project in the defense sector ever developed by a private company in India.
The cooperation between Rheinmetall and Reliance marks a significant milestone in international defense collaboration, promising mutual benefits for both companies and strengthening the defense capabilities of both Germany and India.
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