In a landmark move for Make in India and Atmanirbhar Bharat, France’s Dassault Aviation and Tata Advanced Systems have signed a deal to build Rafale fuselages in Hyderabad — the first time any part of this fighter jet will be produced outside France
What’s Happening?
- Hyderabad factory setup — Tata will build a facility to produce the structural sections of the Rafale fuselage under four Production Transfer Agreements, planned to roll out starting FY 2028
- Two fuselages per month — The plant is expected to manufacture up to 24 fuselages annually, for both the Indian domestic fleet and potential global markets
Why This Matters
| Impact Area | Details |
|---|---|
| Strategic autonomy | This marks a major leap from importing fully assembled fighters toward co-producing critical components locally—reducing dependency on France |
| Economic & industrial boost | Development aligns with Make in India, supports satellite assembly lines (like Tejas and C‑295), and creates skilled jobs in aerospace . |
| Defense modernization | Comes alongside a $7 billion deal to acquire 26 naval Rafales for India’s carrier fleet, aimed to be delivered by 2030 . |
What’s Coming Next
- Final Assembly Line plans — Dassault is exploring a full Rafale final assembly line in India to support future orders, including a possible batch of 114 MRFA jets
- Broader aerospace ecosystem — Additional maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) hubs are planned near Jewar and Hyderabad, along with technology transfers for engines, sensors, and missiles
Expert Insight
Analysts note that carrying out 2 fuselages per month from 2028 shows commitment—but local production still costs 20–30% more than French manufacturing. The government is now pushing for full MRFA-level production to justify the investment and build true domestic capability
Bottom Line
India’s step to build Rafale fuselages at home marks a significant shift—from buyer to co-producer. If Dassault also proceeds with local assembly and more component-level partnerships, it could signal the future of India’s defense manufacturing: high-tech, self-reliant, and export-ready.
