New Delhi: France is considering opening a new assembly line for the Rafale fighter jet in India to manage anticipated large orders from the country.
Dassault Aviation, the manufacturer of the Rafale, is assessing this possibility as part of its strategy to increase production capacity. CEO Éric Trappier stated that India is preparing major orders, and establishing a final assembly line there would help absorb the new workload.
The move is driven by India’s expected procurement of additional Rafale-M carrier-based fighters and potential follow-up orders from the Indian Air Force.
Dassault is currently ramping up its Rafale production rate from two to three aircraft per month, with plans to reach four or even five depending on future orders.
The company delivered 36 Rafales to India under a previous contract and is now exploring further collaborations, including the production of the new Rafale F5 variant.
This advanced variant will feature more powerful engines, enhanced survivability, and improved data links, along with the capability to deploy a large unmanned combat aerial vehicle (UCAV).
Establishing an assembly line in India aligns with New Delhi’s “Make in India” initiative, which aims to boost domestic manufacturing. It would also provide economic benefits by leveraging India’s lower labour costs and potentially circumventing European supply chain bottlenecks.
The setting up of a Rafale assembly line in India offers several key benefits for both Dassault Aviation and India.
For India, this partnership promises jobs, technology transfer, and a stronger indigenous defence ecosystem, which is crucial as the Indian Air Force seeks to modernise its fleet.
Contract negotiations are underway for the acquisition of Rafale Marine fighters by the Indian Navy, which could further solidify Dassault’s presence in India.
The potential collaboration between Dassault and India marks a significant step in bolstering India’s defence capabilities and positioning the country as a major player in global defence manufacturing.
