A significant milestone was achieved by MET City, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Reliance Industries Limited, as it becomes home to Saab´s first manufacturing facility of the famous Carl-Gustaf Weapon System in India. It is a significant development for India in becoming Aatmanirbhar in defence manufacturing as this will be India’s first 100% FDI in defence, thus starting a new chapter in making India self-reliant in key defence technologies.
The Carl-Gustaf system has been in service with the Indian Army since 1976 and is established as the main shoulder launched weapon in the Indian Armed Forces.
Saab is a Swedish defence major and has wide array of defence products and their relationship with India is not new. This signing of agreement between the two companies and subsequent ‘Ground Breaking’ by Saab FFVO India to start construction of the plant in Haryana also marks a new addition of Defence sector to the already existing wide array of sectors operating from Reliance MET City.
Reliance MET City already hosts companies from 9 different countries in various sectors. As one of the rapidly expanding business hubs in North India, it stands out as a preferred destination for industries across defence, engineering, electronics, auto components, medical devices FMCG, footwear, plastics, consumer products, and many others.
It is one of India’s largest IGBC Platinum Rated Integrated Smart City and stands as the sole Japan Industrial Township (JIT) in Haryana, accommodating 6 Japanese companies from electronics to auto-components to medical devices sectors. The project also has 6 companies from South Korea and multiple companies from Europe, including Sweden.
"We are deeply honoured to be the first global defence company to secure approval for 100% foreign direct investment in India.” Says Chairman & Managing Director of Saab India Technologies Mats Palmberg. “We chose Reliance MET City due to its strategic location, well developed infrastructure and availability of trained manpower,” Mr. Palmberg goes on to say.