Dassault and Reliance to Build Falcon Jets in India
In a major endorsement of India's growing aerospace capabilities, French aviation major Dassault will manufacture its best-selling Falcon 2000 business jets in Nagpur. The landmark agreement, announced at the Paris Air Show, is a strategic partnership with the Anil Ambani-led Reliance Aerostructure Ltd (RAL). This move marks the first time in Dassault's history that the final assembly of its Falcon jets will take place outside of France, positioning India to join the elite club of nations producing next-generation business aircraft.
A Milestone for 'Make in India'
The establishment of a final assembly line (FAL) for a foreign civilian aircraft is a first for India and a significant achievement for the government's "Make in India" initiative. The joint venture, Dassault Reliance Aerospace Ltd (DRAL), will set up the facility at its existing plant in Mihan, Nagpur, with the first made-in-India Falcon 2000 expected to be ready by 2028. Sources indicate the facility could have the capacity to produce up to 24 aircraft annually, catering to both domestic and international demand. This initiative follows other significant French investments, including Dassault's partnership with Tata to manufacture fuselages for the Rafale fighter jet, signaling a deepening commitment to India as a strategic manufacturing hub.
Expanding Operations and Job Creation
The scope of the partnership extends beyond the Falcon 2000. Dassault will also transfer the assembly of major components for its Falcon 8X and 6X jets to the DRAL facility. Since delivering its first Falcon sub-section in 2019, the Nagpur plant has already assembled over 100 major components. This expansion will necessitate significant upgrades and a substantial increase in the workforce. The partners anticipate recruiting several hundred engineers and technicians over the next decade, providing a major boost to skilled employment in the region.
A Shared Strategic Vision
Both partners have hailed the agreement as a pivotal moment. Eric Trappier, Chairman and CEO of Dassault Aviation, described it as a demonstration of the company's firm intent to meet its "Make in India" commitments and to help establish India as a major partner in the global aerospace supply chain. Echoing this sentiment, Reliance Group Chairman Anil Ambani called the collaboration a "powerful expression" of the group's commitment to a self-reliant India. This partnership not only brings high-end manufacturing technology to the country but also solidifies India's ambition to become an integral part of the global aerospace ecosystem.
