Reliance group to make 200 light helicopters in Maharashtra

Firm will ivest Rs 6,500 cr in project, proposes to develop smart city for defence in Nagpur

The Reliance group will collaborate with a Russian manufacturer set up a facility at Nagpur to produce 200 light helicopters for defence purposes. The state run Maharashtra Airports Development Corporation (MADC) has provided 290 acre of land in the vicinity of the Nagpur airport. The company proposes to invest Rs 6,500 crore in next five years for the proposed venture. The group has firmed up plan to develop Smart City for defence at Nagpur.

The JV between the two companies will be called Reliance Helicopters.The company plans to produce 200 Kamov Ka 226 T light helicopters at the Nagpur facility. Kamov Ka 226 T light helicopters are expected to replace the ageing fleet of Cheetah helicopters that are being used to service deployments in the Siachen glacier.

This is the first major project proposed by Reliance group after acquiring Pipavav Defence and Offshore Engineering early this year.

Maharashtra industries minister Subash Desai told Business Standard'' Reliance group chairman Anil Ambani during meeting with me in June had expressed group's desire to invest in the defence sector in the state. Today MADC formally handed over the letter of allotment of the land.'' Desai said the group also has plan to acquire additional 700 acre of land for its defence venture.

MADC managing director Tanaji Satre said the company proposes to manufacture defence hilicopters, airplanes apart from its maintenance facility at the proposed project site. ''The project is expected to create direct employment for 3,000 persons and 10,000 jobs indirectly,'' he added.