Reliance Defence sings agreement with UAE firm

The Dollar Business Bureau

Reliance Defence Limited (RDL) on Monday said that it has signed an agreement with Emirates Defence Industries Co. (EDIC) to jointly develop defence products, ships, aviation and MROs.  “RDL and EDIC have agreed to jointly explore the opportunity for manufacturing and building capabilities in defense vehicles, aviation and associated areas, defence equipment and armament manufacturing, defence electronics, commercial and naval ships, MRO of military equipment/platforms,” the company said in a statement.  Through this MoU, the two companies will explore the opportunity in the UAE defense industry, where the costs for setting up facilities, recruiting and developing scientists and engineers are high.  This partnership is aimed at bringing synergy to cut down operational costs and leveraging each others’ capabilities.  EDIC is in the process of finalizing the acquisition of Tawazun-owned pistol and rifle maker Caracal and light munitions maker Caracal Light Ammunition, and ammunition systems company Burkan.  EDIC is also integrating “Mubadala's unmanned systems developer Abu Dhabi Autonomous Systems Investment (ADASI) and AMMROC, the advanced military maintenance, repair and overhaul centre, which is a joint venture between Lockheed Martin, Sikorsky and Mubadala with EDIC taking over Mubadala's share, the company said.  Earlier this month, RDL signed an MoU with Abu Dhabi Ship Building (ADSB) - a leading provider of construction, repairs and refits services for naval, military and commercial vessels - to jointly manufacture naval ships, including frigates, destroyers and other specialized vessels over the next 10 years.  EDIC is a leading integrated defence company in the UAE and the premier partner for manufacturing, services, and knowledge transfer and technology development. It brings together the combined capabilities of the UAE’s defence industries.  RDL, a fully owned subsidiary of Reliance Infrastructure Limited (Rinfra), currently has 11 subsidiaries in various segments of defence and aerospace sectors. RDL has partnered with some of the world’s leading defence manufacturers to develop advance defence weapon, equipment and hardware to meet the domestic demand.