New Delhi, June 9 -- Reliance Infrastructure is set to significantly boost its defence vertical by targeting aircraft and helicopter upgrade programmes worth Rs 5,000 crore over the next 7-10 years, sources revealed.

This strategic shift marks Reliance as the first private Indian firm to independently handle comprehensive aircraft upgrades-an area traditionally dominated by public sector units and original equipment manufacturers (OEMs).

The company recently achieved a milestone by successfully upgrading 55 Dornier-228 aircraft under a Rs 350 crore contract with Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL), in collaboration with US-based avionics firm Genesys.

Initially awarded a contract for 37 aircraft, Reliance received a repeat order for 18 mor...