Tata, Dassault to manufacture Rafale fuselage in India, first ever outside France

Tata Advanced Systems Limited (TASL) and France’s Dassault Aviation have signed four production transfer agreements to manufacture the fuselage of the Rafale fighter aircraft in India, the companies said on Thursday.

This is the first time Rafale fuselage production will take place outside France and is part of a push to deepen India’s defence manufacturing capabilities under the government’s "Make in India" and "AtmaNirbhar Bharat" initiatives.

TASL will establish a dedicated facility in Hyderabad to produce key structural sections of the aircraft, including the front, central and rear fuselage, as well as the lateral shells of the rear section.

The first fuselage units are expected to be completed in fiscal year 2028, with production eventually reaching up to two full fuselages per month.

“This is a decisive step in strengthening our supply chain in India,” said Eric Trappier, Chairman and CEO of Dassault Aviation. “Thanks to the expansion of our local partners, including TASL… this supply chain will contribute to the successful ramp-up of the Rafale.”

Tata Advanced Systems, a wholly owned subsidiary of Tata Sons, has been steadily expanding its role in India’s growing aerospace sector.

Sukaran Singh, CEO and Managing Director of TASL, said the deal “underscores the deepening trust in Tata Advanced Systems’ capabilities" and reflects India's “remarkable progress in establishing a modern, robust aerospace manufacturing ecosystem.”

India’s collaboration with Dassault Aviation began with a 2016 deal for 36 Rafale jets, delivered directly from France. The jets, which bolstered the Indian Air Force’s fleet, were deployed at key airbases in northern and eastern India.

The latest agreement also includes provisions for technology transfer and the establishment of maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) facilities for aircraft engines and weapons systems within India.

With 62 Rafale jets expected to be in Indian service by 2030, including both land and naval variants, India will become the first country outside France to operate the complete Rafale platform across two military branches.