rRheinmetall Artillery Ammo
The collaboration focuses on Reliance’s plan to build a new “greenfield manufacturing facility” in Ratnagiri, Maharashtra. Belfast— Germany’s Rheinmetall and India’s Reliance Defence announced a strategic ammunition partnership today.
Officials from both companies signed a Memorandum of Understanding to formalise the deal. Reliance will supply Rheinmetall with explosives and propellants for medium- and large-calibre ammunition.
The European manufacturer confirmed these details in its announcement. Both companies will work together on joint marketing for selected products. They aim to expand the partnership as new opportunities arise. The facility will be located in Ratnagiri’s Watad Industrial Area on India’s western coast.
The new facility is expected to be one of South Asia’s largest. It will produce up to 200,000 artillery shells annually. It will also make 10,000 tonnes of explosives and 2,000 tonnes of propellants each year.
Timeline of Production
Rheinmetall has not given a timeline for opening or production start. The company said the site will significantly support India’s military supply needs. It will also help India reach its $5 billion defense export target.
The partnership gives Rheinmetall better access to vital raw materials. It also strengthens its supply chains for customer benefit. The deal creates new growth opportunities for the company. Anil Ambani, founder of Reliance Group, described the partnership with Rheinmetall as a “transformational moment” for the Indian defense sector.
This initiative further develops Reliance’s recently announced intentions to create “an integrated project” focused on the manufacturing of explosives, ammunition, and small arms in conjunction with Dhirubhai Ambani Defence City (DADC).
According to Rheinmetall, “The DADC is under construction in the Watad industrial zone in Ratnagiri, Maharashtra, and upon completion, it will be the largest greenfield project in the defense sector ever undertaken by a private company in India.”
According to a Reliance Exchange filing last year, Reuters reported that the manufacturer intends to establish joint ventures potentially with six international defense companies to bolster the DADC initiative.
Conclusion
Currently, Reliance operates two joint ventures—one with Thales on radars and EW systems, and another with Dassault for Rafale parts. Moreover, these collaborations allow Reliance to contribute directly to advanced technologies, enhancing India’s defense manufacturing capabilities and global partnerships.
Additionally, Rheinmetall announced today the signing of a distinct “strategic agreement” with Spain’s Indra concerning armoured vehicles. The collaboration, supported by an additional MoU, specifically targets “armoured vehicle projects of the Spanish Armed Forces”, as stated in a declaration.
References
- Rheinmetall Press Release – rheinmetall.com/news
- Defence News Today – defensenewstoday.info
- Reuters on Reliance Defence—reuters.com/defence2024
- Pakistan Defence Forum (Facebook)—facebook.com/pakistandefenseforum
- Reliance Defence – reliancedefence.co.in
