The Major Defence Move of Anil Ambani: Plans to Boost India’s Air Strength, Aims for ₹5,000 Crore Profit
Reliance Infrastructure, headed by Anil Ambani, is aiming to earn ₹5,000 crore in the next 7–10 years by working on aircraft upgrade projects. According to sources, it’s the first private Indian company to handle such a complete upgrade on its own, without being the original maker of the aircraft. Until now, this kind of work was mostly done by government-run companies or the original manufacturers.
Anil Ambani’s company has successfully upgraded 55 Dornier-228 aircraft for Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), working together with U.S.-based partner Genesys. The original contract was for 37 planes, but after doing a good job, they got an additional order for 18 more. The whole project is worth ₹350 crore. These upgraded planes are now being used by the Indian Air Force, Navy, and Coast Guard.
Military planes and helicopters usually last 30 to 40 years. During that time, they need regular upgrades—especially in technology, mission systems, and safety features—to stay ready for use and meet current standards. Experts say that over the life of these aircraft, the money spent on upgrades and maintenance can be two to three times more than the cost of buying them in the first place. Around the world, this upgrade and repair market is worth over ₹5 lakh crore every year and is expected to grow to ₹7 lakh crore in the next seven years.
India’s Old Aircrafts
India has many old aircraft, which creates a big opportunity for upgrades. As the military updates its older systems to get ready for modern warfare, private companies like Reliance Infrastructure are stepping in to help—something that was usually done by government units and original manufacturers.
Reliance plans to expand its upgrade work to include both planes and helicopters. It is also working with international defence companies to bring new technology to India. Besides upgrading Dornier aircraft, Reliance is also part of the support programme for Rafale jets, working with French company Thales.
This growth fits with the government’s ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ (self-reliant India) goal and opens doors to a large global market. With a good track record and strong partnerships, Reliance is becoming a key private player in India’s defence industry, offering big growth and steady business for investors and partners.
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