Dassault Aviation and Tata Advanced Systems Limited (TASL) signed four production transfer agreements to build Rafale fighter jet fuselages in India on June 5, marking what Dassault called a “decisive step in strengthening our supply chain in India.”
New Plant in Hyderabad
The companies will set up a new facility in Hyderabad to manufacture key fuselage parts. These include the lateral shells, central and rear fuselage, and front section.
Since the fuselage is the main body of the aircraft, it holds the jet’s core components together. In fighter jets, it is placed below the cockpit, with weapons on the wings and engines in the rear.
Production Timeline Set
According to the plan, the first fuselage sections will be ready by 2028, and the facility could eventually produce up to two complete fuselages a month.
Leaders Praise the Partnership
Dassault CEO Eric Trappier said the agreement “is not only historic but shows how far we’ve come with our trusted partners in India.” He noted that this expansion “will contribute to the successful ramp-up of the Rafale.”
Meanwhile, TASL CEO Sukaran Singh said the production deal “underscores the deepening trust in Tata Advanced Systems’ capabilities.” He added that it also “reflects India’s progress in building a strong aerospace manufacturing ecosystem.”
Precision meets partnership ✈️⚙️
— Tata Advanced Systems Limited (@tataadvanced) June 5, 2025
Dassault Aviation partners with Tata Advanced Systems to manufacture Rafale fighter aircraft fuselage for India and other global markets.#TataAdvancedSystems #DassaultAviation #Rafale #MakeInIndia #Aerospace #DefenceManufacturing… pic.twitter.com/MDLIOzXwxx
Boost for 'Make in India'
Significantly, the agreement supports India’s ‘Make in India’ and ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ goals. Singh highlighted how the deal aligns with “India’s vision of becoming self-reliant in defence and aviation.”
India's Rafale Fleet
India now operates 36 Rafale jets, which were delivered from 2019 to 2022. However, tensions with Pakistan led to the loss of at least one fighter jet, according to India’s Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan, though he didn’t confirm if it was a Rafale.
Navy Deal Signed
In April 2025, India signed a $7 billion deal to buy 26 Rafale-M naval jets. The deal includes 22 single-seat versions and 4 twin-seat versions for training. These will operate from India’s aircraft carriers.
Dassault and Tata said this step “further deepens defence ties between India and France.”