Tata Advanced Systems Limited (TASL) will produce the complete fuselage of the Rafale fighter aircraft at a new facility in Hyderabad. The project is part of a major industrial partnership with French aerospace giant Dassault Aviation, bringing high-value defence production to Indian soil for the first time.Dassault and TASL have signed four Production Transfer Agreements that enable the local manufacture of the front, central, and rear fuselage sections of the Rafale.
This collaboration will establish Hyderabad as a strategic manufacturing hub for one of the world’s most advanced combat aircraft, supporting not only Indian defence requirements but also Dassault’s global exports.Expected to commence deliveries by FY2028, the plant will eventually produce up to two complete fuselages every month. The facility will be equipped with precision engineering technologies, reinforcing India’s credibility in complex aerospace manufacturing.
“This is a decisive step,” said Eric Trappier, Chairman and CEO of Dassault Aviation. “For the first time, the Rafale fuselage will be manufactured outside France. We are proud to deepen our partnership with TASL, which reflects both our confidence in Indian manufacturing and our commitment to supporting India’s defence and industrial sovereignty.”For India, the agreement represents far more than an economic opportunity. It signifies a transition from licensed assembly to end-to-end component manufacturing for frontline military equipment. The scale of the initiative also aligns with India’s ‘Make in India’ and ‘AtmaNirbhar Bharat’ goals—while strengthening its position in the global defence supply chain.
Sukaran Singh, CEO and MD of TASL, called the collaboration a milestone for India’s aerospace ambitions. “This partnership is a testament to how far India has come. Manufacturing Rafale fuselages here underscores global trust in our capabilities. It also reflects how India is rapidly becoming a centre for high-quality, sustainable aerospace manufacturing,” he said.The Hyderabad facility is also expected to drive regional employment, stimulate local industry, and elevate India’s status in global defence trade. With an emphasis on sustainability and precision, the facility will be powered by the latest technologies in clean manufacturing, supporting both environmental goals and defence readiness.
As geopolitical tensions continue to demand reliable supply chains and diversified production capacities, Dassault’s decision to establish a key manufacturing node in India is strategic. It offers France a robust industrial partner, while giving India an industrial edge that few developing nations have achieved in high-tech defence systems.
The Tata-Dassault alliance will likely set a precedent for future collaborations in aviation, aerospace, and beyond cementing India’s role not only as a buyer of global technology, but also as a competitive producer of it.
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