Rafale fighter jets to be made in India? All about Dassault's partnership with Tata

In a significant boost to India's defence manufacturing drive, Dassault Aviation and Tata Advanced Systems Limited (TASL) have signed four Production Transfer Agreements to locally produce key fuselage components of the Rafale fighter jet. This marks the first time such parts will be made outside France.

TASL will set up a specialised facility in Hyderabad to manufacture front, central, and rear fuselage sections of the Rafale aircraft. The plant is expected to begin operations by FY28, with a production capacity of up to two complete fuselages per month.

The move signals a shift in India's role from being a buyer of high-end defence equipment to an active builder. By manufacturing core parts of its frontline jet domestically, India is closing the gap between acquisition and self-reliant production in aerospace technology.

The announcement comes in the wake of heightened tensions with Pakistan, underlining India's focus on boosting its indigenous defence capabilities. The Rafale, already active in surveillance and deterrence missions, now gains a new layer of strategic value through local production.

The new facility is expected to generate hundreds of high-skilled jobs and contribute to the broader growth of India’s aerospace sector. It positions Hyderabad as a key node in the global defence supply chain and boosts industrial capability in high-value manufacturing.

Officials from both Dassault and TASL have stressed the importance of this collaboration for building a resilient and diversified supply chain. The partnership also adds depth to India's long-term goals under the 'Make in India' and 'Atmanirbhar Bharat' initiatives.

Defence analysts view the move as a force multiplier. By developing the capacity to produce critical components of one of the world’s most advanced fighter jets, India strengthens its deterrence and gains leverage in an increasingly volatile regional security landscape.