R-Infra arm, UAE firm agree to partner in defence sector

To tap opportunities in manufacturing of defence products, ships, aviation and MROs

Reliance Defence Ltd (RDL), a wholly owned subsidiary of Reliance Infrastructure, has signed an agreement with Emirates Defence Industries EDIC) for manufacturing, services, knowledge transfer and technology development from the UAE.

They have agreed to jointly explore the opportunity for manufacturing and building capabilities in defence vehicles, aviation and associated areas, defence equipment and armament manufacturing, defence electronics, commercial and naval ships and MRO of Military Equipment / Platforms.

The partnership will explore the opportunity in the UAE defence industry, where costs for setting up facilities, recruiting and developing scientists and engineers are high. The partnership will aim to build synergy, bring down operational costs and leverage each others' capabilities.

RDL is pursuing partnerships in the Defence and Aerospace segment with the leading international OEM's and raise equity stake in existing companies within the country as also globally to meet solutions for the defence sector.

On the other hand, EDIC is in the process of finalizing the acquisition of Tawazun-owned pistol and rifle maker Caracal, light munitions maker Caracal Light Ammunition, ammunition systems company Burkan, Mubadala's unmanned systems developer Abu Dhabi Autonomous Systems Investment (ADASI) and AMMROC, the advanced military maintenance, repair and overhaul center.