Adani Group to enter defence production.

Gujarat-based Adani Group is planning to enter defence and aerospace manufacturing sector, according to a report on The Economic Times (ET) website.

Last month, the Gautam Adani-headed Group applied to the department of industrial policy and promotion for a licence to manufacture helicopters through a new firm — Adani Defence Systems & Technologies. The new company was registered in March.

The Group is reported to be looking for partners. Entering into a partnership with Finmeccanica is also understood to be on the cards. The report also said Adani executives have held high-level meetings in the past few weeks. The Adani Group declined to comment on the issue, the report said.

ET cited sources familiar with the exploratory discussions saying the talks are mostly centred on specific 'Make in India' projects and that the Adani Group is keen to explore whether its large landholding in Mundra can be used to set up a defence manufacturing hub.

The group owns the largest port and special economic zone in the country at Mundra.

BS