Anil Ambani's Reliance Defence Systems Private Limited applies for CII membership

NEW DELHI: In a first, industrialist Anil Ambani who is making a major foray into the defence sector lately, has applied for a membership of the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), the apex industry body at the forefront of advocacy and contact with the government.

While traditionally Reliance companies have shied away from industry bodies and are known to prefer working alone, it is learnt that Anil Ambani’s newly created entity Reliance Defence Systems Private Limited has applied for a CII membership and that the process to scrutinize its records is on.

“The application has been received and it typically takes 3-4 months to process. We would be happy to have the company as a member,” a CII official said. The membership would give his company access to various CII forums in defence, including regular interactions with the defence ministry.

Ambani of late is also a permanent fixture at PM’s foreign visits and has been travelling to talk with global arms manufacturers. The industrialist recently spoke at a CII – Navy event in the capital as a special representative of the industry and has announced a tie up with a Russian shipyard for the modernization and repair of Navy’s Kilo class submarine, the first contract of which is likely to be worth over Rs 5,000 crore. At the event, Ambani also announced a further Rs 5,000 crore investment at the Pipavav shipyard that he is acquiring.