BIG Boost To Make In India! Rafale Fighter Jet Fuselage To Be Manufactured In Hyderabad; Here Are Details

In a big boost to Make In India campaign, a dedicated facility to manufacture Rafale fighter aircraft fuselage for India and global market will be setup In Hyderabad. French company Dassault Aviation issued an official statement in this regard. Dassault aviation signed agreements with Tata Advanced Systems Limited to set up the manufacturing facility. It will be the first time that Rafale fuselages will be manufactured outside France

"Dassault Aviation and Tata Advanced Systems Limited have signed four Production Transfer Agreements to manufacture the Rafale fighter aircraft fuselage in India, marking a significant step forward in strengthening the country's aerospace manufacturing capabilities and supporting global supply chains. This facility represents a significant investment in India's aerospace infrastructure and will serve as a critical hub for high-precision manufacturing," Dassault Aviation said in a statement.

"Under the scope of the partnership, Tata Advanced Systems will set up a cutting-edge production facility in Hyderabad for the manufacture of key structural sections of the Rafale, including the lateral shells of the rear fuselage, the complete rear section, the central fuselage, and the front section," it added.

The first fuselage sections are expected to roll off the assembly line in 2028. As per the French company, two fuselages will be delivered per month from the facility.

"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," said Eric Trappier, Chairman and CEO of Dassault Aviation.

Meanwhile, Sukaran Singh, Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director, Tata Advanced Systems Limited, called the development a "significant step" in India's aerospace journey.

"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," he stated.

At present there are 36 Rafale jets in service in the Indian Air Force.