In a strategic move underscoring India’s commitment to bolstering its defence capabilities amidst heightened tensions with Pakistan, French aerospace giant Dassault Aviation and Tata Advanced Systems Limited (TASL) have signed four landmark Production Transfer Agreements to manufacture critical fuselage components of the Rafale fighter aircraft in India.
Officials claim that this agreement, announced against the backdrop of the recent India-Pakistan military stand-off, is far more than an industrial milestone—it is a powerful signal of New Delhi’s deepening resolve to become a self-reliant aerospace power. For the first time, fuselage components of the Rafale, India’s frontline multirole combat jet, will be manufactured outside France, with Hyderabad emerging as a critical node in the global defence manufacturing ecosystem.
Under the agreement, TASL will build a state-of-the-art facility in Hyderabad to produce vital structural segments of the Rafale, including the front, central and rear fuselage sections. With production slated to begin in FY28, the facility will have the capacity to roll out up to two full fuselages per month—an industrial capability with strategic undertones as India looks to fortify its airpower and deterrence posture.
“This is a game changer for India’s aerospace ecosystem,” said Sukaran Singh, CEO and MD of TASL. “In light of regional challenges, including the recent stand-off with Pakistan, building Rafale fuselages in India represents not just industrial growth but strategic autonomy. It demonstrates our ability to contribute to critical platforms that safeguard national security.”
Dassault Aviation chairman and CEO Eric Trappier called it a “milestone” in the company’s global strategy, stating: “India is the ideal partner in our efforts to build a more resilient supply chain. With TASL’s growing capabilities, this partnership will ensure continuity, quality and strategic depth to the Rafale programme.”
The timing of the announcement couldn’t be more significant. With tensions simmering along the western front, the Rafale has already proven its worth in surveillance and deterrence missions during the flare-up. By shifting core manufacturing to Indian soil, India is signalling that it is not just a buyer but now also a builder—closing the gap between acquisition and self-reliant production.
The Hyderabad facility, a major investment in India’s aerospace ecosystem, is set to create hundreds of high-skilled jobs and will serve as a backbone for future indigenous and global defence projects. Defence analysts see it as a force multiplier—reducing dependency on external suppliers while increasing India’s leverage in regional power dynamics.
In aligning seamlessly with the ‘Make in India’ and ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ vision, the Dassault-TASL collaboration lays the foundation for a new era of defence preparedness. As India navigates an increasingly volatile regional security environment, the ability to domestically produce critical components of its most advanced fighter jet may well prove to be a decisive strategic asset. With Rafale fuselages soon to take shape in Hyderabad, India isn’t just responding to provocations—it’s reshaping the very defence landscape of South Asia.
Subscribe to India Today Magazine
Tune In