Reliance Infra Aims ₹10,000 Cr Revenue with Diehl
Reliance Defence has signed an agreement with Diehl Defence to produce advanced 155 mm guided munitions in Maharashtra. This collaboration strengthens India’s defense capabilities and enhances its export potential, aligning with the ‘Make in India’ and ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ initiatives.
Summary:
Reliance Defence, the defence division of Reliance Infrastructure, has secured a major contract with Diehl Defence, a German company, to locally produce Vulcano 155 mm terminally guided munitions in Maharashtra. The collaboration is expected to yield ₹10,000 crore in revenue and represents a substantial advancement for India’s goals in domestic defense manufacturing and export initiatives. The collaboration also aligns with India’s strategic goals under the Atmanirbhar Bharat and Make in India campaigns to build a self-reliant military-industrial complex.
A Strategic Leap for India’s Defence Industry
Reliance Defence, a wholly owned subsidiary of Reliance Infrastructure Ltd, has entered into a landmark partnership with Germany’s Diehl Defence to manufacture advanced Vulcano 155 mm terminally guided artillery munitions in India. The collaboration is set to become a cornerstone in India’s journey toward indigenization of high-tech weaponry and aims to generate ₹10,000 crore in revenue over the contract lifecycle.
The manufacturing facility will be established in Maharashtra, creating a critical local supply base for precision-guided ammunition and further reinforcing India’s position as a global defence production hub.
Partnership Details: Vulcano 155 Production in India
The Vulcano 155 mm terminally guided munition is a next-generation, long-range precision projectile designed for use in NATO-standard artillery systems. Known for its exceptional accuracy and extended range—up to 70 km with pinpoint precision—the Vulcano has applications in both offensive and defensive battlefield scenarios.
Under this agreement:
Diehl Defence will provide the core technology and design architecture.
Reliance Defence will be responsible for assembling, integrating, and testing the ammunition systems domestically.
The facility will cater to both the Indian Armed Forces and international customers, especially in friendly nations across Asia and Africa.
Aligned with India’s Vision: Atmanirbhar Bharat & Make in India
This collaboration aligns strongly with the Government of India’s vision to reduce defence import dependency. Under the flagship Make in India and Atmanirbhar Bharat initiatives, the focus is on boosting domestic manufacturing of critical military systems, including ammunition, drones, electronic warfare systems, and missiles.
The Vulcano project directly supports this by:
Reducing Reliance on costly foreign imports
Building Indigenous capability for precision-guided munitions
Enabling technology transfer and upskilling of the Indian defence workforce
According to industry estimates, India currently imports 60-70% of its high-precision defence equipment. This project aims to reverse that trend significantly.
Economic Impact: ₹10,000 Crore Revenue and Job Creation
Reliance Infra has projected that the partnership could generate revenues worth ₹10,000 crore over the next several years, driven by procurement from Indian defence forces and export opportunities.
Economic benefits include:
Large-scale employment generation in Maharashtra’s Defence Corridor
Ancillary growth for component manufacturers and MSMEs
Creation of a strong framework for artillery systems
Given the rising demand for long-range guided artillery shells in modern warfare, the global export market for such munitions is estimated to exceed $3 billion annually—a significant portion of which India could now aim to tap.
Defence Exports: India’s Rising Global Profile
This deal also represents India’s emergence as a global defence manufacturing hub. With the Defence Ministry setting a target of $5 billion in defence exports by 2025, Reliance’s partnership with Diehl is expected to contribute meaningfully.
India has already begun exporting BrahMos missiles, bulletproof jackets, naval patrol vessels, and surveillance systems. Vulcano 155 adds to this growing list of indigenous, high-value, export-ready products.
Nations in West Asia, Southeast Asia, and Eastern Europe that use NATO-compatible systems are potential customers for the Vulcano munitions once Indian manufacturing stabilizes.
Defence Sector Outlook: Private Sector’s Role Expands
The Indian defence sector has undergone a paradigm shift, with the private sector playing an increasingly critical role. From Larsen & Toubro to Tata Advanced Systems and Bharat Forge, companies are entering high-tech defence segments, traditionally dominated by public sector undertakings (PSUs).
Reliance Defence’s move into guided munitions represents a strategic shift from legacy systems to advanced, precision-based warfare capabilities. The successful implementation of this deal could pave the way for further joint ventures in air defence systems, loitering munitions, and anti-drone technologies.
Leadership Commentary
Anil Ambani, Chairman of Reliance Infrastructure, stated:
“Our partnership with Diehl Defence marks a transformational step in enhancing India’s defence self-reliance. The Vulcano project is not just about manufacturing ammunition—it’s about building long-term, strategic capabilities aligned with the vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat.”
A spokesperson from Diehl Defence added:
“India is a key strategic partner, and this collaboration allows us to combine German precision engineering with India’s growing defence industrial base for mutual benefit.”
What’s Next?
Following CCI and MoD clearances, the project will move toward:
Factory establishment and infrastructure setup
Technology and equipment transfer
Initial prototype production for trials by Indian armed forces
The initial production of domestically produced Vulcano munitions is anticipated by mid-2026, followed by a gradual increase in commercial manufacturing.
Conclusion
The strategic collaboration between Reliance Defence and Diehl Defence is a watershed moment for India’s indigenous defence ambitions. With the potential to generate ₹10,000 crore in revenue and significantly reduce dependency on imported precision munitions, the project represents a win-win for national security, economic development, and technological advancement.
As India moves toward becoming a net defence exporter, deals like these are set to redefine its role in the global defence ecosystem, turning vision into capability and policy into performance.
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The image added is for representation purposes only
