June 3, 2025
admin
Reliance Infrastructure Becomes First Indian Private Firm to Develop Advanced 155mm Artillery Ammunition
Marks Major Milestone Under ‘Make in India’ Defence Initiative
Mumbai, June 3, 2025 — In a significant breakthrough for India’s defence manufacturing sector, Reliance Infrastructure has become the first private company in the country to design and develop four new-generation 155mm artillery ammunition types. This achievement is a landmark under the government’s ‘Make in India’ initiative, aimed at bolstering indigenous defence capabilities.
The ammunition was developed under the Design-cum-Production Partner (DCPP) programme of the Armament Research and Development Establishment (ARDE), a unit of the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO). The entire development process is based on fully indigenous technology.
A spokesperson from Reliance Infrastructure confirmed that development work on all four projectile variants has been successfully completed. Ten Indian companies have already been integrated into the production supply chain, enabling immediate commencement of manufacturing.
Anticipated Orders Worth Rs.10,000 Crore from MoD
The company expects to secure orders worth Rs.10,000 crore from the Ministry of Defence (MoD) over the next decade. According to a recent KPMG report, the Indian Army’s annual ammunition expenditure is projected to increase from Rs.7,000 crore in 2023 to Rs.12,000 crore by 2032—positioning Reliance favourably to capture a sizable portion of this growing market.
Export Plans and Global Ambitions
Leveraging the enhanced range and precision capabilities of its newly developed ammunition, Reliance Infrastructure also aims to tap into global defence markets. The company projects an additional Rs.10,000 crore in export revenue over the next ten years, bolstering its ambitions to become one of India’s top three defence exporters.
Strategic Investments in Manufacturing
In addition to its R&D achievements, Reliance is setting up a state-of-the-art explosives and ammunition manufacturing facility in Ratnagiri, Maharashtra. The greenfield project, part of the Dhirubhai Ambani Defence City, involves an investment of Rs.5,000 crore and is expected to play a key role in scaling production and meeting both domestic and international demand.
Public-Private Collaboration in Defence
In the selection process for this strategic project, Reliance was the only private player chosen alongside public sector enterprise Yantra India—highlighting the growing role of private companies in India’s defence ecosystem.
This development not only strengthens Reliance Infrastructure’s defence portfolio but also marks a major step toward India’s strategic goal of self-reliance in defence production.
Quicklinks
