Dassault Aviation has signed four significant Production Transfer Agreements with Tata Advanced Systems Limited (TASL), marking a major development in India’s defence manufacturing sector. These agreements will enable the local production of key fuselage components of the Rafale fighter aircraft in India.
As part of this strategic collaboration, Tata Advanced Systems will establish a cutting-edge production facility in Hyderabad. This new facility will be responsible for manufacturing crucial structural parts of the Rafale combat jet, including the lateral shells of the rear fuselage, the complete rear section, the central fuselage and the front section. The companies announced the development through an official release on Thursday.
According to the agreement, the first set of fuselage sections is projected to roll off the assembly line during the financial year 2028. Once operational, the facility is expected to reach a production capacity of up to two complete fuselages per month.
This initiative marks the first time in history that Rafale fuselage production will take place outside of France. Eric Trappier, Chairman and CEO of Dassault Aviation, described it as a landmark step in expanding the company’s global supply chain. “For the first time, Rafale fuselages will be produced outside France, and this is a decisive step in strengthening our supply chain in India,” Trappier said.
He further emphasised that the expansion of Dassault’s local partnerships, particularly with TASL — a prominent player in India’s aerospace industry — would support the successful scale-up of Rafale production. “This supply chain will contribute to the successful ramp-up of the Rafale and, with our support, will meet our quality and competitiveness requirements,” he added.
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Sukaran Singh, Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director of Tata Advanced Systems Limited, called the partnership a major milestone in India's aerospace journey. He stated that the decision to manufacture the complete Rafale fuselage in India is a strong endorsement of TASL’s growing capabilities and the maturity of its collaboration with Dassault Aviation.
“This initiative reflects the deepening trust in Tata Advanced Systems’ manufacturing capabilities and highlights the significant progress India has made in developing a modern, reliable aerospace manufacturing ecosystem that can support sophisticated global platforms,” Singh said. The signing of these agreements also reinforces Dassault Aviation’s commitment to India’s 'Make in India' initiative and the vision of AtmaNirbhar Bharat (self-reliant India), the official release noted. Through this partnership, both companies aim to elevate India’s position in the global aerospace supply chain while simultaneously advancing the nation’s economic self-reliance.
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