India’s Reliance Defence Limited (RDL), a unit of Reliance Infrastructure Limited, has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Abu Dhabi Ship Building (ADSB) to construct naval, military and commercial vessels, a report said.

Under this MoU, RDL and ADSB will investigate the opportunity to set up a partnership for the construction of naval ships, including frigates, destroyers and other specialised vessels, to address the demand of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) over the next 10 years, added the Business Today report, citing a statement issued by the Reliance Group.

The agreement could also see ADSB delivering maintenance, repair, overhaul and refit services to the vessels, in line with regional requirements, it added.

Reliance Group is likely to use its newly acquired ship-building facilities at Pipavav for implementation of this collaboration.

The signing of the MoU follows the joint statement issued during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to UAE on August 18, which highlighted cooperation and manufacture of defence equipment in India.

ADSB is a major regional provider of construction, repair and refit services for naval, military and commercial vessels in the GCC Region.