Dassault and Tata forge Rafale manufacturing deal in India

Dassault Aviation and Tata Advanced Systems Limited (TASL) have signed four major production transfer agreements that will see the Rafale fighter aircraft fuselage manufactured in India for the first time. This marks a pivotal development in India’s aerospace manufacturing ambitions and significantly bolsters the country’s role in the global defence supply chain.

Under the agreement, TASL will establish a state-of-the-art production facility in Hyderabad, dedicated to the manufacture of critical structural components of the Rafale aircraft. These include the lateral shells of the rear fuselage, the full rear section, central fuselage and the front section. This facility will play a key role in Dassault’s global production network, symbolising a historic shift as Rafale fuselages will, for the first time, be produced outside of France.

Production is set to begin in the financial year 2028, with the Hyderabad facility anticipated to deliver up to two complete fuselages per month. This ambitious production target reflects the growing confidence in India’s precision manufacturing capabilities and its capacity to contribute to high-end aerospace programmes.

Eric Trappier, Chairman and CEO of Dassault Aviation, stated, “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… this supply chain will contribute to the successful ramp-up of the Rafale…”

Sukaran Singh, CEO and MD of TASL, added that the partnership represents a deepening trust in Indian manufacturing and highlights the progress India has made in creating a modern aerospace ecosystem capable of supporting world-class platforms.