New Delhi, 5 June 2025 — In a major boost to India's defence manufacturing sector, Dassault Aviation — the French aerospace giant behind the Rafale fighter jet — has entered into a strategic agreement with Tata Advanced Systems Limited (TASL) to manufacture the Rafale fighter jet’s fuselage in India. This marks the first time in Rafale's production history that its major structural components will be built outside France.
The fuselage production facility will be established under the Tata Dassault Aerospace Limited (TDAL) joint venture at the state-of-the-art Hyderabad campus. The partnership is being hailed as a key milestone under India's 'Make in India' and 'Atmanirbhar Bharat' (self-reliant India) initiatives.
According to a joint statement, the facility will not only manufacture new fuselages but also contribute to the global supply chain of Rafale jets, which are in service with several countries including France, India, Egypt, and Qatar.
Dassault Aviation Chairman and CEO Éric Trappier lauded the development, saying, “This partnership reinforces our commitment to India and our belief in its potential to be a hub for advanced aerospace manufacturing.”
Sukaran Singh, CEO and Managing Director of Tata Advanced Systems, called the agreement a landmark step for indigenous defence manufacturing. “This is a historic moment for Indian aerospace. We are proud to be the first company globally to manufacture the Rafale’s fuselage outside France,” he said.
The new facility will also provide employment to hundreds of skilled Indian workers and is expected to help transfer high-end aerospace technology and knowledge to India, significantly strengthening its defence industrial base.
India had earlier signed a deal in 2016 to procure 36 Rafale jets from France, all of which have been delivered. With this manufacturing agreement, India not only becomes a key operator of the Rafale but also a contributor to its global production — a significant stride toward defence self-reliance.
