Reliance Defence and Engineering Ltd

Reliance Defence and Engineering Limited (RDEL) formerly Pipavav Defence and Offshore Engineering Company Limited (PDOECL) has the largest engineering infrastructure in India and is one of the largest in the world. Pipavav Defence and Offshore Engineering Company Ltd was rechristened as Reliance Defence and Engineering Ltd (RDEL) from 03 March 2016. "RDEL today has received a certificate of change of name from the office of the Registrar of Companies, Ahmedabad, certifying the change of name of Pipavav Defence and Offshore Engineering Company Ltd to Reliance Defence and Engineering Ltd with effect from today i.e. March 3, 2016," the company said in a statement.

In 2015 the Anil Ambani group firm announced plans to acquire a controlling stake in Pipavav Defence for up to Rs 2,082 crore. On 21 July 2015 Pipavav Defence and Offshore Engineering announced the signing of a multi-crore agreement with Russia-based JSC Ship Repairing Centre Zvyozdochka for medium refits and life certification of eight EKM 877 submarines in India. Pipavav, in which Anil Ambani-led Reliance Group was then in the process of acquiring a majority stake, proposes to execute the program under a joint venture, with 51 per cent stake, consistent with MoD regulations. In December 2015 it was reported that Reliance Defence, which owned 44 per cent equity in the company, had entered an agreement with a Russian defence company to construct four frigates for the Indian Navy. The deal was worth Rs 60,000 crore. These four 'Talwar class' frontline warships would be built at Reliance Group's recently-acquired Pipavav shipyard in Gujarat. The total potential of the deal is Rs 60,000 crore over the next 10 years, the reports said.

RDEL is the first private sector company in India to obtain the licence and contract to build warships. RDEL operates India’s largest integrated shipbuilding facility with 662 M x 65 M Dry dock. The facility houses the only modular shipbuilding facility with a capacity to build fully fabricated and outfitted blocks. The fabrication facility is spread over 2.1 million sq. ft. The shipyard has a pre-erection berth of 980 meters length and 40 meters width, and 2 Goliath cranes with combined lifting capacity of 1,200 tonnes, besides outfitting berth length of 780 meters.

RDEL (Formerly Pipavav Defence and Offshore Engineering Company Limited) has developed the most modern and versatile engineering and fabrication facilities along with the largest dry dock in India, with state-of-the-art shipbuilding infrastructure suitable for construction of a wide range of warships and submarines. The shipyard is first in India to use modular and integrated shipbuilding technology. Recognizing these strengths, leading global defence technology majors such as SAAB have forged strategic partnerships with RDEL for the production of warships and defence related ship systems. RDEL capabilities also go a long way towards greater indigenization of India’s warship procurement, one of the key objectives of the country’s defence procurement policy.

RDEL (Formerly Pipavav Defence and Offshore Engineering Company Limited) capabilities including design and construction of:

• Offshore Patrol Vessels (OPVs)
• Landing Platform Docks (LPDs)
• Frigates
• Corvettes
• Destroyers
• Research Vessels
• Submarines
• Aircraft Carriers

RDEL (Formerly Pipavav Defence and Offshore Engineering Company Limited) state-of-the-art Warship Design Centre can undertake complex warship and submarine design to meet growing requirements of the Indian Navy and global customers. RDEL has collaborated with globally reputed warship design agencies to develop world class designs for global naval customers. The centre has recently submitted designs for OPVs, Cadet Training Ships and Fast Patrol Boats to the Indian Coast Guard, and Survey Training Vessels and Floating Dock to the Indian Navy.

By 2016 RDEL (Formerly Pipavav Defence and Offshore Engineering Company Limited) was in the process of design and construction of five Naval Offshore Patrol Vessels for the Ministry of Defence. Production of first two vessels had commenced and pre-production activities for the other three ships was in progress.

After acquiring the Pipavav shipyard, Anil Ambani made his firmest step into the defence industry, creating a cluster of companies and applying for over a dozen licences in mid-2015 to design, develop and manufacture military equipment ranging from UAVs and spacecraft to submarine systems. In a firm indication that his interests go beyond just ship building and helicopter manufacturing, Ambani applied for at least 13 new licences to develop and produce military systems.