Dassault Aviation, Tata Advanced Systems to build Rafale fighter fuselages in India

Dassault Aviation said on Thursday that it has entered into a partnership with Tata Advanced Systems Limited (TASL) to manufacture key fuselage components of the Rafale fighter aircraft in India. This is the first time Rafale fuselages will be produced outside France, marking a major milestone in India’s ambition to become a global hub for aerospace manufacturing.

The fuselage refers to the central body structure that houses critical components such as the cockpit, avionics, fuel systems, and landing gear integration points. It serves as the primary load-bearing framework that connects the aircraft’s wings, tail, and engine systems.

The Rafale's fuselage is built with advanced composite materials and lightweight alloys to ensure high structural strength while maintaining agility and speed. Manufacturing the fuselage involves complex precision engineering, including the integration of aerodynamic shaping, stealth features, and reinforced structural sections capable of withstanding extreme stress during supersonic flight and combat operations. Producing the complete Rafale fuselage in India signifies a major advancement in the country's aerospace capabilities.

Under the deal, signed through four Production Transfer Agreements, a state-of-the-art manufacturing facility will be set up by TASL in Hyderabad. The facility will produce the complete front, central, and rear sections of the Rafale fuselage, including the lateral shells, delivering up to two full fuselages per month. Production is expected to commence in FY28.

“This is a decisive step in strengthening our supply chain in India,” said Eric Trappier, chairman and CEO of Dassault Aviation. “With our support, Tata Advanced Systems will meet our global quality and competitiveness standards.”

The collaboration also strengthens Dassault Aviation’s commitment to the ‘Make in India’ and Atmanirbhar Bharat missions by integrating Indian industry into the global Rafale supply chain and enhancing indigenous defence capabilities.

Sukaran Singh, CEO and MD of TASL, noted, “The production of complete Rafale fuselages in India reflects the maturity of India’s aerospace manufacturing ecosystem and the trust reposed in Tata’s capabilities. It also reinforces the strength of our ongoing collaboration with Dassault Aviation.”

The facility will significantly boost India’s aerospace exports while simultaneously developing critical defence manufacturing infrastructure, precision engineering expertise, and high-tech employment.

This initiative follows Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s call to build domestic defence capacity and reduce dependence on imports. It comes at a time when global demand for the Rafale platform is rising, with multiple export orders secured by Dassault in recent years.