SOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG
In a landmark development for India’s defense sector, French aerospace giant Dassault Aviation has announced plans to establish a production facility for Rafale fighter jet fuselages in India, alongside Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) facilities for the aircraft’s engines, sensors, and weapons. This initiative, formalized as part of a €7 billion deal signed on April 28, 2025, for 26 Rafale-Marine fighters for the Indian Navy, marks a significant step toward India’s vision of self-reliance under the “Make in India” initiative.
The move not only strengthens India-France defense ties but also positions India as a potential hub for Rafale production and maintenance, with implications for regional security and global defense markets. Here’s a detailed look at what this means for India and the broader geopolitical landscape.
The Inter-Governmental Agreement (IGA) signed between India and France on April 28, 2025, covers the procurement of 22 single-seater and four twin-seater Rafale-Marine fighters for the Indian Navy, to be deployed on the INS Vikrant aircraft carrier. Deliveries are set to begin in 2028 and conclude by 2030, with crew training in both India and France. The deal, valued at approximately €7 billion, includes simulators, associated equipment, weapons, and five years of Performance-Based Logistics (PBL). Crucially, it incorporates Transfer of Technology (ToT) provisions, enabling the establishment of a fuselage production facility and MRO capabilities in India.
The agreement also aligns with India’s broader defense needs. The Indian Air Force (IAF) already operates 36 Rafale jets, inducted between 2020 and 2022, and the Navy’s acquisition will bring India’s total Rafale fleet to 62 by 2030. Speculation about additional orders, including a potential 114 Multi-Role Fighter Aircraft (MRFA) contract, suggests India could become one of the largest Rafale operators globally, surpassing even France’s 231-strong fleet if the MRFA deal materializes.
Fuselage Production Facility: The facility, likely to be located in Noida or near Jewar International Airport in Uttar Pradesh, will produce Rafale fuselages, a critical structural component of the aircraft. This marks a significant leap from mere assembly to core manufacturing, enabling India to participate in the Rafale’s global supply chain. The facility aligns with Dassault’s vision of localizing production to meet India’s long-term demand for twin-engine multi-role fighters, particularly under the MRFA program, which seeks 114 jets over the next two decades
MRO Facilities: The MRO hub, to be operated under Dassault Aviation Maintenance Repair and Overhaul India (DAMROI), will service Rafale and Mirage-2000 jets, as well as potentially Jaguar fighters with French connections. Located in Noida, the facility will maintain engines (Safran M88-4E), sensors (RBE2 AESA radar, SPECTRA countermeasures), and weapons (Meteor, SCALP, and AASM munitions). A separate Safran-led MRO for Rafale engines is planned in Hyderabad, expected to be operational by 2025. These facilities will also support Indonesia’s 42 Rafale jets, positioning India as a regional maintenance hub.
The MRO is set to begin operations within six months, led by Indian national Posina Venkata Rao, a long-time Dassault representative in India, with a workforce of both French and Indian nationals. Dassault plans to scale up activities in collaboration with India’s aeronautical ecosystem, including Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), fostering local skills and supply chains.
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