Reliance Infrastructure takes flight with ₹5,000 cr bet on aircraft upgrade business, ET Infra
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This strategic foray positions Reliance Infrastructure as India's first private sector company to independently execute a comprehensive aircraft upgrade programme without being the original manufacturer - a domain traditionally dominated by public sector units and OEMs.According to a company source, the company has already marked a significant milestone by successfully upgrading 55 Dornier-228 aircraft under a contract with Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL), in collaboration with US-based avionics firm Genesys.Initially awarded a contract for 37 aircraft, Reliance secured a repeat order for an additional 18 units following the successful execution of an earlier contract.The total value of the Dornier upgrade contract was ₹350 crore, sources said.The upgraded Dornier fleet is operational with the Indian Air Force, Indian Navy, and Indian Coast Guard.With military aircraft and helicopters having a service life of 30-40 years, regular upgrades - particularly of avionics, mission systems, and safety equipment - are vital.Industry experts estimate that lifecycle investments in upgrades and MRO can reach up to 200-300 per cent of the original acquisition cost of a platform.Globally, the market for military aircraft and helicopter upgrades stands at over ₹5,00,000 crore annually, and is projected to rise to ₹7,00,000 crore in the next seven years.India, with a vast inventory of legacy platforms, offers a substantial domestic opportunity, especially as the armed forces modernise older fleets for next-gen warfare.Reliance Infrastructure is now looking to scale up its aircraft and helicopter upgrade capabilities, working with global partners to deliver world-class solutions.In addition to the Dornier upgrade success, the company is also a key player in the performance-based logistics (PBL) program for Rafale fighter jets in India, in partnership with Thales of France.Reliance investments in this domain align with the vision of ' Atmanirbhar Bharat ' while tapping into a multi-billion-dollar global market.With its growing portfolio and proven execution, Reliance Infrastructure is poised to become a major private player in the defence aviation ecosystem, bridging the gap between cutting-edge global technology and the operational needs of India's armed forces.For industry stakeholders and investors, Reliance's aircraft upgrade strategy represents a high-potential play in India's defence manufacturing and services sector, with scope for international collaboration and recurring revenue models.
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