Dassault Aviation and Tata Advanced Systems Limited (TASL) have announced a landmark strategic partnership to set up India’s first-ever Rafale fighter aircraft fuselage production facility in Hyderabad. This cutting-edge unit will manufacture key Rafale components not only for the Indian Air Force but also for global markets.
The Rafale fighter was inducted into the Indian Air Force in 2020, and this new initiative represents a significant step in localizing its production. Tata Advanced Systems will establish the facility to produce crucial fuselage sections, including the lateral shells of the rear fuselage, the complete rear section, the central fuselage, and the front section. This will be the first such manufacturing unit outside Dassault’s French base.
The first fuselage sections from the Hyderabad assembly line are expected by the financial year 2028, with plans to deliver up to two complete fuselages each month. The facility will further bolster Hyderabad’s standing as a major defence manufacturing hub, especially amid regional competition from neighbouring Andhra Pradesh.
Eric Trappier, Chairman and CEO of Dassault Aviation, said, “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.”
Tata Advanced Systems CEO & MD Sukharan Singh added, “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 building a robust aerospace ecosystem that can support global platforms.”
The strategic partners emphasized that the agreement reinforces Dassault Aviation’s commitment to India’s ‘Make in India’ and AtmaNirbhar Bharat initiatives. The facility is set to become a critical hub for high-precision aerospace manufacturing and a key investment in strengthening India’s aerospace infrastructure and self-reliance.
