French aerospace giant Dassault Aviation has proposed partnering with the Tata Group to establish a final assembly line for Rafale fighter jets in India, according to a report by ThePrint. If approved, the facility would be Dassault’s first Rafale final assembly line outside France and could make India the company’s second major global production hub.
Proposal Comes Amid India’s Rafale Expansion Plans
The proposal comes as India continues its long-running process to acquire additional Rafale fighter aircraft for the Indian Air Force.
The Ministry of Defence is working on a Request for Proposal for 114 multi-role fighter aircraft. Dassault has previously indicated that an order of at least 100 aircraft would be needed to support a full-scale Rafale production line in India. The proposed Indian requirement would therefore provide a sufficiently large order base.
Tata Already Has a Rafale Manufacturing Role
Tata Advanced Systems Limited already has an established partnership with Dassault for Rafale manufacturing.
In 2025, the two companies signed four Production Transfer Agreements covering the production of different Rafale fuselage sections at a dedicated facility in Hyderabad.
The facility is expected to begin production in FY2028 and eventually manufacture up to two complete fuselages every month. These components would support both Indian requirements and Dassault’s broader global Rafale supply chain.
Tata Could Take a Bigger Role
Establishing a final assembly line with Tata would significantly expand the group’s role in Rafale manufacturing.
Instead of supplying individual aircraft components, Tata could become the anchor partner for Dassault’s second global Rafale production hub.
Tata Advanced Systems also has partnerships with major aerospace companies including Lockheed Martin, Boeing and Airbus. The group already operates the country’s first private-sector final assembly line for Airbus C295 transport aircraft at Vadodara.
Nagpur Also Remains in Focus
Nagpur has emerged as another major location in discussions around Rafale final assembly in India.
Dassault Reliance Aerospace Limited operates from the MIHAN Special Economic Zone in Nagpur, where it has been involved in Rafale component manufacturing. Reports have suggested that the facility could potentially expand its operations from producing wings and fuselage sections to complete aircraft assembly.
There has also been speculation about changes to the ownership structure of the joint venture as plans for a Rafale final assembly facility develop.
Hyderabad Could Get a Second Assembly Line
Government sources cited by Aviation Week have indicated that a second final assembly line could potentially be established in Hyderabad if India signs the 114-aircraft Rafale contract, alongside continued production at Nagpur.
Such an arrangement could allow India to develop multiple aerospace manufacturing hubs rather than concentrating Rafale production at a single location.
India Could Become Dassault’s Second Global Hub
For Dassault, an Indian Rafale assembly line would have significance beyond fulfilling the Indian Air Force requirement.
The company has indicated that India could eventually serve as a second global manufacturing hub for the Rafale, potentially supporting future export orders as well.
Dassault currently manufactures around two dozen Rafale aircraft annually in France and plans to increase production to around four aircraft per month by 2029. An Indian production line could form an important part of this planned expansion.
