India’s Reliance Defence and Germany’s Rheinmetall have signed a memorandum of understanding to jointly produce ammunition on a large scale. A central element of the agreement is Reliance’s plan to set up a new manufacturing facility in the Watad industrial zone in southwestern India. The partnership will also focus on joint marketing and global expansion. The greenfield plant is expected to produce up to 200,000 artillery shells, 10,000 tons of explosives, and 2,000 tons of propellants annually. As part of the deal, Reliance will supply Rheinmetall with propellants and explosives for medium- and large-caliber ammunition, strengthening the German firm’s supply chain while advancing India’s “Make in India” goals and supporting its $5-billion defense export target.
