Dassault Aviation, the French aerospace firm behind the Rafale fighter jet, has signed four Production Transfer Agreements with Tata Advanced Systems Limited (TASL) to locally manufacture Rafale fuselages in India. This partnership represents a major leap in India’s aerospace manufacturing capacity and integration into global defence supply chains.
New Manufacturing Facility in Hyderabad
Under this collaboration, TASL will establish a state-of-the-art production facility in Hyderabad. The facility will produce key Rafale fuselage components, including the lateral shells of the rear fuselage, the full rear section, the central fuselage, and the front section. Production is scheduled to begin with fuselage sections rolling out by 2027-28. The plant aims to deliver up to two complete fuselages per month.
First-Time Rafale Production Outside France
Eric Trappier, Chairman and CEO of Dassault Aviation, stated that this marks the first time Rafale fuselages will be built outside France. He emphasized the importance of expanding Dassault’s supply chain through trusted Indian partners like TASL. The move aligns with Dassault’s goal to ensure quality, competitiveness, and a strong production ramp-up.
TASL’s Growing Role in Aerospace
Sukaran Singh, CEO and Managing Director of TASL, said the project demonstrates growing global confidence in India’s aerospace industry and Tata’s capabilities. He highlighted that producing full Rafale fuselages in India reflects the country’s increasing competence in manufacturing complex aerospace systems.
Support for ‘Make in India’ and Atmanirbhar Bharat
The agreements also reinforce Dassault’s support for India’s Make in India and Atmanirbhar Bharat initiatives. Dassault Aviation, which has supplied over 10,000 aircraft worldwide, is deepening its role in India’s vision of becoming a self-reliant defence manufacturing hub.
India’s Rise in Global Aerospace Supply Chain
Tata Advanced Systems, a key defence and aerospace subsidiary of Tata Sons, has extensive experience in partnerships with global defence firms. It provides integrated solutions across aerostructures, aeroengines, security systems, and land mobility. This latest deal further establishes TASL’s presence in the international defence manufacturing ecosystem.
Government Initiatives Driving Growth
India’s government has introduced schemes like Production-Linked Incentives (PLI) to encourage domestic manufacturing and reduce import dependency. Defence production in India is at an all-time high, backed by significant investment and the establishment of defence hubs. Many global defence firms are now sharing, or planning to share, critical technologies with India.
