Tata to Manufacture Rafale Fuselages in Hyderabad
In a significant milestone for India’s defense manufacturing ambitions, Tata Advanced Systems Limited (TASL) has partnered with French aerospace major Dassault Aviation to locally produce the fuselage for the Rafale fighter jet. The facility will be established in Hyderabad and will mark the first time Rafale fuselages are manufactured outside France.
This strategic partnership is not only a technological leap but also a boost to India’s ‘Make in India’ initiative in the aerospace and defense sector. The new Hyderabad-based facility will be responsible for producing the front, central, and rear fuselage sections of the Rafale, including the lateral shells of the rear section. Production is expected to begin in the financial year 2027–28, with the capability to deliver up to two complete fuselages every month.
The agreement comes on the heels of a broader defense procurement deal signed earlier in 2025, where India agreed to purchase 26 naval variants of the Rafale fighter jet from France. This contract further cemented strategic ties between the two countries and opened doors for deeper industrial collaboration.
The decision to manufacture such a critical component domestically highlights the growing trust in India’s industrial capabilities and the credibility of Tata Group as a defense manufacturing partner. By manufacturing complete fuselages in India, the country will join an elite club of nations capable of producing high-precision fighter jet structures, enhancing its standing in the global defense supply chain.
According to Tata Advanced Systems, the new venture will not only create skilled jobs and boost the local economy but will also serve both Indian defense needs and global market demands. The Hyderabad facility is expected to become a hub for high-value aerospace production and innovation, setting a precedent for future collaborations in the defense sector.
This development signals a major push towards indigenizing key components of advanced fighter jets and positions India as an emerging powerhouse in global aerospace manufacturing.
