Dassault to Build Rafale Fuselage & MRO Units in India
In a major boost to India’s defense manufacturing and self-reliance ambitions, French aerospace firm Dassault Aviation is set to establish a fuselage production facility for Rafale fighter jets along with Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) infrastructure in the country. This initiative follows the recent €7 billion agreement for the purchase of 26 Rafale-Marine aircraft for the Indian Navy.
Rafale Production in India
Dassault plans to locate the fuselage manufacturing facility either in Noida or near the upcoming Jewar International Airport in Uttar Pradesh. The move goes beyond simple assembly, laying the groundwork for India’s participation in the global Rafale production ecosystem. It also prepares India for the larger Multi-Role Fighter Aircraft (MRFA) program that envisions the procurement of 114 jets over the next two decades.
By shifting core fuselage manufacturing to Indian soil, Dassault aims to strengthen its long-term presence in the country. This facility will not only support domestic requirements but also serve potential international markets. It’s a significant step towards India’s goal of becoming a defense production hub under the “Make in India” initiative.
Dassault MRO India
An additional MRO facility will be established under the banner of Dassault Aviation Maintenance Repair and Overhaul India (DAMROI), to support India’s fleet of Rafale and Mirage-2000 jets, and possibly Jaguar aircraft with French subsystems. This MRO will be situated in Noida and is expected to become operational within six months.
The MRO facility will handle critical components such as Safran M88-4E engines, RBE2 AESA radars, SPECTRA electronic warfare systems, and key armaments like the Meteor air-to-air missile, SCALP cruise missile, and AASM precision-guided munitions. A separate Safran-led MRO focused exclusively on Rafale engines is also underway in Hyderabad, with completion expected by the end of 2025.
These facilities are intended to serve not just Indian assets but also international clients, including the Indonesian Air Force, which has ordered 42 Rafales. This could position India as a regional hub for Rafale support, extending its strategic relevance in the Indo-Pacific.
The MRO initiative will be led by Posina Venkata Rao, an experienced Indian representative of Dassault, with a team comprising both Indian and French professionals. Dassault plans to integrate Indian MSMEs into the ecosystem to enhance local capability, generate jobs, and promote high-end manufacturing.
This ambitious expansion will bring the total Rafale fleet in India to 62 by 2030, factoring in both IAF and Navy acquisitions. The upcoming deliveries are scheduled between 2028 and 2030, and pilot training will be jointly conducted in India and France.
Dassault’s expansion into India marks a transformative step in India-France defense cooperation and underscores India’s rise as a key player in the global aerospace and defense supply chain.
