New Delhi: Dassault Aviation has partnered with Tata Advanced Systems Ltd. (TASL) to manufacture the fuselage of Rafale fighter aircraft in India. It is to be noted that this is the first time Rafale fuselages will be produced outside France.
Dassault Aviation and TASL have signed four Production Transfer Agreements, which will see the establishment of a dedicated manufacturing facility in Hyderabad.
This facility will focus on producing key structural sections of Rafale, including the lateral shells of the rear fuselage, the complete rear section, the central fuselage, and the front section. The first fuselage sections are expected to roll off the assembly line in the fiscal year 2028, with the facility aiming to deliver up to two complete fuselages per month.
Eric Trappier, Chairman and CEO of Dassault Aviation, emphasised the importance of this partnership, stating, “For the first time, Rafale fuselages will be produced outside France. 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.”
Sukaran Singh, Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director of Tata Advanced Systems Ltd., echoed this sentiment, saying, “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.”
Dassault Aviation, with a century-long history of delivering over 10,000 military and civil aircraft, including the Rafale fighter and Falcon business jets is a global leader in aerospace innovation. Tata Advanced Systems Limited, a wholly owned subsidiary of Tata Sons, is a key player in India’s aerospace and defence sector.
