In a major boost to India’s defence sector, Reliance Defence, a subsidiary of Reliance Infrastructure, has partnered with U.S.-based defence contractor Coastal Mechanics Inc. (CMI) to establish a cutting-edge Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) facility in Maharashtra. The joint venture will focus on upgrading air and land defence platforms for the Indian armed forces and export clients, aligning with the government’s push for indigenous defence capability under the “Atmanirbhar Bharat” initiative.
Why in News?
The announcement of this joint venture is significant due to India’s growing emphasis on self-reliant defence production. A ₹20,000 crore opportunity in India’s defence MRO and upgrade market. Increasing demand for lifecycle support of legacy defence systems. Coastal Mechanics’ strong track record with the US Department of Defence.
Key Highlights of the Joint Venture
- Location: MIHAN (Multi-modal International Cargo Hub and Airport at Nagpur), Maharashtra.
- Partners: Reliance Defence (India) & Coastal Mechanics Inc. (USA).
- Sector: Defence Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) and Upgrades.
- Target Market: Indian Armed Forces and Export Clients.
Focus Areas of the JV
Upgradation of,
- 100 Jaguar aircraft
- 100 MiG-29 fighter jets
- 20 Apache attack helicopters
- L-70 air defence guns
- Lifecycle modernization over complete replacement of legacy platforms.
- Future alignment with Foreign Military Sales (FMS) contracts via CMI’s existing US defence relationships.
About Coastal Mechanics Inc. (CMI)
- Established in 1975.
- Contractor to the U.S. Department of Defence.
- Supplies components to both U.S. Air Force and Army.
India’s Defence Output and Growth
- FY25 defence production: ₹1.46 trillion (15% YoY increase).
- Defence exports: ₹24,000 crore.
- MRO segment: Poised for growth as India extends asset lifecycle and boosts indigenous support capability.
Summary/Static | Details |
Why in the news? | Reliance Infra and Coastal Mechanics Launch Defence MRO Hub in Maharashtra |
JV Partners | Reliance Defence & Coastal Mechanics Inc. |
Facility Location | MIHAN, Nagpur, Maharashtra |
Focus Platforms | Jaguars, MiG-29s, Apaches, L-70 guns |
India’s FY25 Defence Production | ₹1.46 trillion |
India’s MRO Market Size | ₹20,000 crore |