Nagpur: In a major boost to Nagpur’s growing aerospace and defence ecosystem, Anil Ambani-led Reliance Defence Limited on Monday announced plans to set up the city’s first Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) facility for military aircraft and equipment at MIHAN-SEZ.
The proposed MRO, in partnership with US-based Coastal Mechanics Inc (CMI), will mark Nagpur’s third aircraft MRO unit — but the first dedicated to defence. The project is part of Reliance Defence’s broader vision to tap into the Indian military’s increasing focus on extending the life cycle of ageing platforms.
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The Nagpur facility, expected to attract an initial investment of Rs 500 crore and generate around 200 jobs, will cater to overhaul and upgrade requirements for Indian Air Force (IAF) aircraft such as British-made Jaguars, Russian MiG-29s, legacy L-70 anti-aircraft guns, and even advanced platforms like Apache attack helicopters.
The company, a wholly owned subsidiary of Reliance Infrastructure, estimates the MRO venture could generate business worth Rs 20,000 crore over the next decade. The facility will also position itself for the export market, with Reliance Defence aiming to emerge among the top three defence exporters from India.
“This will be the first project in India where aircraft of multiple country origins will undergo overhauling and life cycle extension under one roof,” a source involved in the development said. The proposed MRO is projected to handle over 100 Jaguars and MiG-29 or Bison aircraft, many of which have served the IAF for over three decades.
Apart from newer aircraft like the Rafale and LCA, the Indian military still operates a significant fleet of older platforms that require obsolescence management and upgrades. Reliance Defence expects annual business worth Rs 2,000 crore from its MRO operations, including contracts from the IAF, Navy, and Army.
The company highlighted that the defence MRO sector represents a high-value, long-term opportunity, driven by the Indian military’s strategic shift from outright asset replacement to lifecycle extension and performance-based logistics.
Coastal Mechanics, Reliance’s US partner, supplies critical components to the US Air Force and Army. The collaboration is expected to bring world-class manufacturing capabilities and global certifications into India’s aerospace ecosystem.
The announcement is also seen as a significant contribution to the government’s ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’ and ‘Make in India’ initiatives, aimed at reducing dependence on defence imports and building indigenous capabilities.
Earlier this month, Reliance Defence also announced plans to manufacture Falcon 2000 business jets at Nagpur in collaboration with French aerospace major Dassault Aviation. The company already manufactures components for Rafale and Falcon aircraft at its MIHAN facility, where it holds over 180 acres of land.
For years, MIHAN’s vast land bank remained underutilised as major players adopted a cautious approach. However, the recent announcements signal a turning point, with both projects expected to attract ancillary industries and establish Nagpur as a key player in India’s defence manufacturing sector.
Once operational, Nagpur will have three major aircraft MROs — Air India Engineering Services Limited and Indamer Aviation currently cater to commercial aircraft such as Boeing and Airbus, while the proposed Reliance facility will serve the defence sector.
Nagpur’s MIHAN is now poised to become a strategic hub for both civil and military aviation.
