On June 5, 2025, Tata and Dassault partnered to manufacture Rafale jets in India, and it marked an important milestone for India’s defense and aerospace sector. The significance of the deal is not just about Rafale jets, it was also significantly represented at the announcement event and the split with the military and industrial practices of India celebrated during the statement. Under four Production Transfer Agreements signed that day, Tata will set up a cutting-edge facility in Hyderabad to build key structural sections of the Rafale – marking the first time any Rafale components will be made outside France. This pact not only deepens Franco-Indian ties but also dovetails with India’s “Make in India” drive to bolster aerospace manufacturing and global supply-chain resilience.
Make in India Boost: Tata and Dassault Team Up to Manufacture Rafale Jets
Background: India’s Rafale Acquisition
The Rafale is a twin-engine, multi-role fighter jet developed by Dassault Aviation in France.
Initially, India wanted to buy more Rafale fighters in the MRCA acquisitions of 2001, but in 2016, the Indian government signed a government-to-government contract to obtain 36 fully equipped Rafale fighters for more than €7.87 billion (the Indian government did not disclose the total value of the contract although there was subsequent amendment). Deliveries commenced in late 2019 and spanned until early 2023 with all 36 jets being inducted into the Indian Air Force (IAF). The Rafale brings India a much-needed capability upgrade with modern sensors and weapon systems; part of its main need was to replace aging aircraft such as, Jaguar, Mirage 2000, Su-30MKIs and MiG-21/27. Dassault states that the Rafale is “combat proven”, and has adaptive multi-role capabilities that operates air-to-air, air-to-ground, or maritime strikes in the same mission. In summary, the Rafale Deal is one of India’s largest defence procurements and a leading component of India’s military modernization.
Make in India Milestone: Rafale Jets to Be Built by Tata in Hyderabad
Under a landmark agreement, Tata Advanced Systems is set to establish a dedicated Rafale fuselage assembly line in Hyderabad, marking a major milestone in India’s defense manufacturing journey. The facility will produce critical sections of the fighter jet — including the front fuselage, central body, complete rear segment, and lateral shells — a first for any location outside France. Production is anticipated to commence by the fiscal year 2028, with intention to increase output to two fully assembled fuselages each month.Backed by four key Production Transfer Agreements, the deal includes the transfer of advanced tooling, technology, and assembly expertise from Dassault Aviation. According to Dassault CEO Éric Trappier, this collaboration significantly boosts India’s role in the Rafale supply chain. Tata’s CEO Sukaran Singh emphasized that this venture not only reflects global trust but also solidifies Hyderabad’s position as a hub for precision aerospace engineering.
Strategic and Geopolitical Implications
This agreement establishes the strategic collaboration between India and France in the defense industry.
By moving Rafale production to India, the two countries strengthen their defense cooperation: France has a reliable baser for Rafale production and India has strengthened airpower and guaranteed technology transfer.Defense analysts note this move boosts India’s deterrence by expanding its Indigenous capabilities against regional threats. It also signals to the world that India is climbing the ladder as a defense manufacturing center. Dassault emphasizes that this agreement represents a *” significant advancement in enhancing India’s aerospace manufacturing capabilities and bolstering global supply chains“*. In practice, India could even supply Rafale fuselages to other customers (e.g. nations already buying Rafale) in the future, leveraging this facility for export markets as India seeks a larger role in the global arms trade.
Make in India and the Push for Self-Reliance
The Rafale assembly facility represents a premier initiative under the (Make in India) program.
Government sources explicitly link the deal to India’s indigenization goals. Dassault’s announcement notes that the contracts reflect a strong commitment to “India’s ‘Make in India’ and AtmaNirbhar [self-reliant] initiatives,” aiming to bolster economic self-reliance. India’s defense ministry has long tied the Rafale purchase to offset spending in the domestic industry; this Hyderabad facility is one of the most tangible outcomes of that policy. In effect, India is turning a foreign fighter into a partly home-grown system. Looking ahead, having a local fuselage line could open doors to even deeper indigenization – for example, integrating Indian weapons (like the Astra air-to-air missile) or avionics into the Rafale and eventually assembling the complete aircraft in India. The program exemplifies the broader thrust of Atmanirbhar Bharat in defense, where even world-class platforms are built through Indian partnerships.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the partnership between Tata and Dassault signifies an important step for India’s defence sector. Not only does it physically localise the design and manufacture of next-generation fighter jet technologies within India, it also advances the Make-in-India agenda and Atmanirbhar Bharat by bringing fighter jet manufacturing onto Indian land. From a broader strategic context, it signifies the next step in Indo-French relations and allows India to lay some foundations to build a modern aerospace industrial base. If it can resolve the technical challenges in the partnering process of the Tata-Dassault partnership, not only will it supply India’s own Rafale fleet, but it will also position India as a possible future exporter of Rafale technology and advanced fighters to other countries. The real challenge will be overcoming the technical and organisational challenges ahead to make this a reality. For those of us with a passion for defence, the agreement represents a fundamental shift: India is moving away from just being a consumer of military equipment to becoming a builder of advanced combat aircraft.
Proudl moment for India
Tata Advanced Systems is set to establish a dedicated Rafale fuselage assembly line in Hyderabad, proud to be indian