Reliance signs pact with Russian arms firm as Modi visits Moscow
NEW DELHI | BY SANJEEV MIGLANI
Reliance Defence said on Thursday it had signed a manufacturing and maintenance deal potentially worth $6 billion with Russia's Almaz-Antey, the maker of an air defence system that sources said the Indian military was poised to buy.
The partnership between the Indian firm controlled by billionaire Anil Ambani and the Russian firm was announced as Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi began a trip to Moscow aimed at strengthening defence ties.
Earlier this week, Indian defence ministry sources said the government had cleared the purchase of five S-400 air defence systems that are estimated to cost about $4.5 billion in a bid to modernise the country's defences against airborne attacks.
"The two sides identified the air defence missile systems.... radars and automated control systems as areas of partnership.... as well as offset policies of the Indian Ministry of Defence," Reliance said in a statement.
Under the offsets policy, global defence contractors are required to invest a percentage of the value of any deal in India to help it build a defence industrial base and reduce imports for a military that has emerged as the world's biggest buyer of arms in recent years.
India is forecast to spend $250 billion over the next decade to upgrade its military and Modi's government wants a greater role for Indian state and defence firms.
Reliance is forging close ties with Russia to jumpstart its ambitions to develop a defence business from scratch. It said it had also discussed joint implementation of modernisation, repair and overhaul of Almaz-Antey systems already in service in India.
The company also plans to bid for contracts for local manufacture of helicopters, submarines and ships. Earlier this month, Ambani's Reliance Infrastructure (
RLIN.NS) took sole management control of Pipavav Defence and Offshore Engineering Co (
PIPA.NS) which has built patrol vessels for the Indian navy.
Reliance signs pact with Russian arms firm as Modi visits Moscow| Reuters
Another Source
Reliance, AlmazAntey to work jointly on AD Missile systems | Business Standard News
Reliance, AlmazAntey to work jointly on AD Missile systems
Reliance Defence Limited and Russia's leading developer and manufacturer of Air Defence Missile Systems 'AlmazAntey' have decided to work jointly on the entire range of Air Defence Missile and Radar Systems that are required for Indian defence forces.
AlmazAntey developed the S-400 Triumf air defence system that
India plans to buy for about Rs 40,000 crore.
"The two sides identified the Air Defence Missile Systems including the TOR-1M Missile Program, Radars and Automated Control Systems as areas of partnership under the 'Make in India' as well as Offset Policies of the Indian Ministry of Defence," a statement by Anil Ambani Reliance Group said.
The two sides also discussed the joint implementation of Modernization, Repair and Deep Overhauls of AlmazAntey Systems already in service with the Indian armed forces.
They also discussed R&D cooperation for developing new products in the defence sector, the statement said.
"Our proposed partnership will constitute an important milestone in the strategic relationship between the two countries," Ambani said.
Reliance Defence Ltd is a wholly owned subsidiary of
Reliance Infrastructure Limited.
With industrial licenses for the full spectrum of military platforms, Reliance Defence is the fastest emerging private sector enterprise that is aiming for development, manufacture and supply of defence aerospace, land and naval platforms and equipment.