Anil Ambani-led Reliance Group applies for licences in defence, aerospace sectors

NEW DELHI: Anil Ambani-led Reliance Group has sought licence from the government to manufacture defence and aerospace products including helicopters, weapons, ammunition and space craft.

The ADAG outfits, which have sought industrial licences are - Reliance Helicopters Ltd for manufacturing of helicopters; Reliance Aerostructures Ltd for airplanes; Reliance Land System for weapons and ammunition.

Reliance Technologies has applied for manufacture of weapons and ammunition; Reliance Propulsion Systems for spacecraft, launch vehicles and satellites as well as manufacture of parts and accessories of aircraft and spacecraft, according to the list put up by the the Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion (DIPP).

These applications were filed on June 15. The government is trying to boost manufacturing of defence equipment as India imports about 70 per cent of its requirements. It has hiked the foreign direct investment cap in defence sector to 49 per cent.