New Delhi: Anil Ambani, Chairman of Reliance Infrastructure, is venturing into India’s defence manufacturing sector with plans to launch a large-scale project in Ratnagiri, Maharashtra for the production of explosives, ammunition, and small arms.

The company is set to invest nearly Rs 10,000 crore over the next decade to establish India’s largest integrated defence project in Maharashtra. It has been allocated 1,000 acres of land in Ratnagiri’s Watad Industrial Area to develop the Dhirubhai Ambani Defence City (DADC), according to a company statement.

“Reliance Infrastructure will invest over Rs 10,000 crore over the next 10 years,” the statement confirmed.
With this initiative, Anil Ambani aims to expand his footprint in the defence manufacturing sector, a domain where his elder brother, Mukesh Ambani, has no involvement. Notably, Anil Ambani's Reliance Infrastructure already has joint ventures with French defence companies Dassault Aviation and Thales.

The company’s statement also highlighted plans for a joint venture with six leading global defence firms to manufacture small, medium, and large-calibre arms, along with terminally guided munitions for both civilian and military use. “DADC will be the largest greenfield project in India’s defence sector by any private company,” the statement added. This move places Reliance Infrastructure alongside major players like Tata Group, Adani, and Larsen & Toubro in the defence manufacturing space.

Reliance's subsidiaries, Jai Armaments Ltd and Reliance Defence Ltd, have already secured government licenses for arms and ammunition manufacturing.