New Delhi: French aviation major Dassault Aviation, a front-runner for the multi-role fighter aircraft contract in India, has tied up with Tata Advanced Systems Limited (TASL) to manufacture all the fuselage sections of the Rafale fighter jet in India.
The first fuselage sections are expected to be rolled out in 2028, with a target capacity of two complete fuselages per month.
It means the Indian Air Force (IAF) will fly Rafale marine aircraft, which have fuselages manufactured in India.
As ThePrint reported earlier, a €7 billion deal for 26 Rafale marine fighter aircraft was signed in April this year under an inter government agreement (IGA), which included the setting up of a production facility for Rafale fuselage.
Moreover, Dassault Aviation and the Anil Ambani-led Reliance Group have another existing partnership—as part of the offsets for the 36 Rafale aircraft-deal signed in 2016.
Now, “Dassault Aviation and Tata Advanced Systems Limited have signed four production transfer agreements to manufacture the Rafale fighter aircraft fuselage in India, marking a significant step forward in strengthening the country’s aerospace manufacturing capabilities and supporting global supply chains,” a statement by Tata said.
Under the scope of the partnership, Tata Advanced Systems will set up a production facility in Hyderabad for the manufacture of key structural sections of the Rafale, including the lateral shells of the rear fuselage, the complete rear section, the central fuselage, and the front section.
The facility represents a significant investment in the Indian aerospace infrastructure and will serve as a critical hub for high-precision manufacturing, the TASL statement added.
“The first fuselage sections are expected to roll off the assembly line in FY2028, with the facility expected to deliver up to two complete fuselages per month,” the statement said.
It will mark the production of the Rafale fuselage outside France for the first time.
“This is a decisive step in strengthening our supply chain in India. Thanks to the expansion of our local partners, including TASL, one of the major players in the Indian aerospace industry, this supply chain will contribute to the successful ramp-up of the Rafale and, with our support, will meet our quality and competitiveness requirements,” said Dassault Aviation Chairman and CEO Eric Trappier.
TASL Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director Sukaran Singh said, “This partnership marks a significant step in India’s aerospace journey.”
“The production of the complete Rafale fuselage in India underscores the deepening trust in Tata Advanced Systems’ capabilities and the strength of our collaboration with Dassault Aviation. It also reflects the remarkable progress India has made in establishing a modern, robust aerospace manufacturing ecosystem that can support global platforms.”
Rafale is the front-runner for the multi-role fighter aircraft contract under which the Indian Air Force (IAF) is hoping to acquire 114 new fighters.
ThePrint earlier reported on India-France talks and an expected government-to-government contract for more Rafale aircraft.
The exact number, however, is not known. Sources in the defence establishment said that the project will have high indigenous content.
Dassault Aviation has made it clear that it would require a minimum contract of 100 multi-role fighter aircraft (MRFA) to set up a full-fledged production line in India.
In 2022, ThePrint reported on a plan to split the MRFA order. Instead of acquiring 114 aircraft in one go, the proposal under consideration was to go in for an initial order of 54 aircraft for the IAF.
It would include 18 aircraft bought off-the-shelf from the foreign original equipment manufacturer (OEM) and 36 manufactured in India in a joint venture under ‘Make In India’.
The foreign OEM will get a direct order.
With over 10,000 military and civil aircraft—including 2,700 Falcons—delivered to more than 90 countries over the last century, Dassault Aviation reported a revenue of €6.2 billion in 2024.
(Edited by Madhurita Goswami)