On February 9, 2018, CCI approved the notice given under Section 6(2) of the Competition Act with respect to the proposed combination (‘Proposed Combination’) between Reliance Aero Limited (‘Reliance Aero’) and Thales India Private Limited (‘TIPL’).[1] The Proposed Combination contemplated the creation of a joint venture i.e., Thales Reliance Defence Systems Limited (‘JVCo.’) in a 51:49 equity share. Reliance Aero is a company incorporated in India and is a subsidiary of Reliance Infrastructure Limited (‘RInfra’) (belonging to the Reliance Group) having no activities worldwide, except in relation to work being done through the existing JV with Dassault Aviation i.e., Dassault Reliance Aerospace Limited. TIPL, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Thales, is a private company registered in India and is engaged inter alia in the business of rendering technical support to its group companies vis-à-vis radars, air-borne electronic systems, avionics, optronics, air-traffic management, etc. and also undertakes activities relating to transportation industry including railways and metros.CCI after perusing the information provided, concluded that the parties do not produce/ provide identical or substitutable services/products, and are not engaged in any activity relating to the production, supply, distribution, sale, storage, and services or trade in products or provision of services, which is at different stages or levels of the production chain, and that therefore, the Proposed Combination is not likely to have appreciable adverse affect on competition in India.[1] Combination Registration No. C-2017/12/541.