In reference to India being on the cusp of a potential revolution in its aerospace and defence sector, the country will seek to be the sole country besides France to produce fuselages for the Rafale fighter jets. This comes after French defence behemoth Dassault Aviation and Tata Advanced Systems Limited (TASL) inked four substantial agreements relating to production transfers. The plant, to be established in Hyderabad, will commence operations by financial year 2027-28, becoming a landmark event for the 'Make in India' policy.
The new Hyderabad facility will produce major structural components of the Rafale fighter jet. This encompasses front, centre, and tail fuselage parts — up to two fully assembled fuselages to be rolled out each month once production starts. Dassault and TASL stressed that this "cutting-edge" facility will cater not just to the Indian Air Force and Navy but address orders from international markets.
36 Rafale fighter jets are already operated by the Indian Air Force, and another 26 Rafale Marine jets are to be inducted by the Indian Navy by 2030 under an agreement entered into earlier this year. The Hyderabad plant will become a key location for servicing, sourcing, and even exporting of Rafale fuselages, strengthening India's position in the international aerospace supply chain.
This collaboration marks a greater faith in India's manufacturing prowess. TASL CEO Sukaran Singh pointed out that this step demonstrates India's transformation into a contemporary and credible aerospace manufacturing hub. Dassault CEO Eric Trappier also expressed the same, terming the collaboration a firm step towards enhancing their global supply chain and competitiveness with India as one of the prime players.
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This partnership is not merely a commercial transaction; it's a defence objective alignment of strategy. Through precision engineering, cutting-edge manufacturing, and international collaboration, India is not merely putting planes together, it's designing aerospace destiny in the world stage. The Rafale saga, once made in the import hub, is now being scripted locally.
