After Fuselage, Dassault Plan to Shift Rafale Wing Manufacturing to India, Aims to Win Lucrative 114-fighter MRFA Deal

In a major boost to India's aerospace and defence manufacturing sector, French aviation giant Dassault is reportedly in advanced negotiations to produce the wings for its Rafale fighter jets in India.

This development comes shortly after a landmark agreement was signed to manufacture the aircraft's complete fuselage locally, signalling a deepening of industrial partnership as Dassault competes for a major Indian Air Force contract.

The move follows the formalisation of four Production Transfer Agreements on June 5, 2025, which designated Tata Advanced Systems Limited (TASL) as the manufacturer for the entire fuselage of the Rafale jet. This historic deal marks the first time these critical airframe sections will be produced outside of France.

By 2028, TASL’s advanced facility in Hyderabad is expected to deliver two complete fuselage sets per month, comprising the front, central, rear, and lateral shell sections. This collaboration is seen as a significant achievement for the government's "Make in India" and Atmanirbhar Bharat (self-reliant India) initiatives.

Building on this foundation, industry sources now indicate that Dassault Aviation is close to finalising a deal with a second Indian company for the production of Rafale wings.

While the partner has not been officially named, potential candidates with established expertise in aerostructures include public sector entity Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) or private firms like Mahindra Aerospace.

The wings are a crucial component, defining the Rafale’s aerodynamic superiority and combat agility, and their production involves highly precise engineering and the use of advanced composite materials.

If the wing manufacturing agreement proceeds, it could result in as much as 60% of the Rafale's total production value being generated within India. This would build upon the existing local manufacturing of other components such as canopies and fuel tanks, creating a robust ecosystem for the fighter jet in the country.

This strategic expansion of manufacturing is closely linked to the Indian Air Force's (IAF) Multi-Role Fighter Aircraft (MRFA) tender, a globally watched procurement program for 114 advanced combat aircraft. By significantly increasing the indigenous production of the Rafale, Dassault strengthens its position in the competitive bidding process.

The IAF already operates a fleet of 36 Rafales, and the Indian Navy is set to receive 26 Rafale-M (Marine) jets by 2030 in a deal valued at approximately ₹63,000 crore.

Furthermore, the integration of indigenous weapon systems, including the Astra beyond-visual-range air-to-air missile and the Rudram-I anti-radiation missile, showcases the platform's adaptability to Indian defence requirements.

Experts believe these developments could be transformative for India's defence industrial base, positioning Hyderabad as a global hub for high-precision aerospace manufacturing.

The new production lines are expected to generate thousands of skilled jobs and support a wider supply chain of micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs).

However, maintaining quality standards equivalent to French production and navigating complex intellectual property rights will remain key challenges.

The scope of technology transfer, particularly concerning sensitive systems like the Rafale's radar and electronic warfare suite, will also be a critical point of discussion in any future agreements.

 

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[Army kid]

Even for the Mirage, a useless upgrade, we paid close to $60 million for each jet. There is also a major problem: giving away our missile secrets to foreign countries, then they might share it with other countries who can easily program their air defence to handle our missiles. This is why the French do not want their missiles, Meteor and Scalp, to be used in jets with Israeli radar, because the reprogramming will reveal all secrets about their missile. If we allow foreign OEMs to integrate our missiles, they will learn all the properties and parameters of our missiles, because source code needs to be reprogrammed to instruct the missile to do certain things once released, especially if the missile has an AESA seeker and two-way datalink. All our latest missiles like Astra Mk2, BrahMos NG, and Rudhram will have AESA seekers and two-way datalinks.

We already give such secrets to Russia, who are far more likely to give those secrets to China sir. France will not give our secrets at least to China and Pakistan, who are more present danger than NATO or anyone.

Also, France has never said no to integrating French weapons with Israeli radars. EU has said no to EU weapons on third party radars. So if Israel asks for Meteor on an Israeli platform or India asks for it on an Indian platform with Indian radar, that is allowed.

 

[Army kid]

HAL replaced everything in MIG-29 including the Mission computer , Radar and EW suite for UPG upgrade, they are now way better than Rafale and are now 4.5 + Gen., regarding SU-30 you can’t integrate any new missile without source code access, the program is usually written in C, C++ OR ADA or sometimes a combination.

Weapon Release System:
The software controls the physical release mechanism and safety interlocks for launching the missile. Integrating a new missile means updating the code to ensure compatibility with its physical and electrical requirements
.
Targeting and Fire Control:
The jet's fire control system software needs to process target data and generate the correct parameters for the new missile to track and engage the target.

we can’t call the Russians every-time DRDO makes a new missile.

If Mig 29 were better than Rafale, then why was Rafale chosen and Mig 29 were not even considered, sir?

And indeed, we can't integrate any new missile without the source code and that's why we have to take the Su30 MKI to Russia for integration of our weapons. Russia doesn't allow us to do it. So we do indeed call the Russians every time DRDO wants to make even the tiniest of the changes to any missile, let alone new missiles. It is very well documented sir.

 

[Army kid]

It is not ideal anymore, at least it was before Op-Sindoor. Now there are other high-priority spending; we don't have enough money to spend on duplicate items. India already has a domestic 4th-gen jet.

But as per reports Rafale performed amazingly well during the Operation.

 

[Army kid]

They are doing it because Dassault is not able to increase their production rate in France. They are doing it for themselves and try to woo us to get the MRFA tender, which has low chances after Op-Sindoor. They are also reluctant to share source code as well. We should go ahead with SU-57, which is ready for TOT and Make in India.

India has already stated clearly and amply that it won't buy Su57 sir. So that's just a dead horse, no point beating that. As for France, their manufacturing pace is already fast enough to meet all their obligations, and then some. So this is not for them sir. It seems either this is for meeting offset obligations, or they have a hint that IAF is going to give fresh orders, either as G2G or MRFA.

 

[Army kid]

We are already manufacturing airframes for multiple jets. This is barely anything that's going to push our industry forward, but at least some private companies will get more experience producing it, which will help us. What we need right now is the Su-57, which is the best 5th-gen fighter jet right now.

Talking about Su57 is just beating a dead horse as of now sir. China has thoroughly studied the jet, and hence it's stealth, if it has any, is now unusable in a war. For a stealth plane, secrecy is everything and here our enemy has studied it inside and out. And IAF has anyways clearly stated that we won't be buying them, so there's that.

 

[BCharlie]

We'll potentially operate the highest or second-highest number of Rafales in the near future. It's possible Safran might offer us source code after winning MRFA.

Yes, Sir, they may or may not. Source code info means they then have no control over their plane, weapons, missiles, etc., as we can then change its SPECTRA suite to sync with Israeli, Russian, domestic missiles, etc. No, never possible. Yes, they will give us sheet metal bashing projects to save costs to make their Rafale slightly cheaper due to our lower-end labour costs on sheet metal works.

 

[Sandeep]

It’s great that India is going to manufacture the critical structure and fuselage but it’s not in large quantities either. Dassault is finding it very hard to meet the surge in demand for more planes so they should give more orders per month rather than just 2 fuselages.

Another reason why they should manufacture more of the parts and technology in India is because it will reduce the price. The current price of around $300 million per jet is very expensive and it would dissuade other countries from buying it except for wealthy countries or dictatorships around the world.

 

[Hawkeye]

But as per reports Rafale performed amazingly well during the Operation.

It’s not about performance; we have a big issue with the source code denial. If we ask them to integrate our missiles, there is a very good possibility of them stealing our missile tech and making them for their own use under a different name. They can also share the data with others so that air defence systems of those countries can be programmed to defeat our missiles.

 

[Hawkeye]

You don't need their weapons, it's all old technology. Israel gives you state of the art new technology. Cruise missiles with Artificial Intelligence all made in India.

Those missiles can’t be integrated into Rafale's without source code access. Also, Israel wouldn't like their missile secrets to go to France. The radar in Rafale can easily read the signature of a missile. This is why France doesn’t want us to integrate Meteor or Scalp in Tejas with Israeli radar.

 

[Army kid]

It’s not about performance; we have a big issue with the source code denial. If we ask them to integrate our missiles, there is a very good possibility of them stealing our missile tech and making them for their own use under a different name. They can also share the data with others so that air defence systems of those countries can be programmed to defeat our missiles.

I don't think them sharing the data with others is going to be a big issue, as they won't share them with our primary enemies China and Pakistan, like Russia will. Also, it is not easy to make a missile like that. There is something called black boxing. They will get the communication protocols of the missile with the jet. But they won't know what propellant is being used, how it is being regulated, which guidance or seeker tech is being used or how to even make it etc. All that is not shareable. Only a very limited portion, that is, how the missile will get data and inputs from the plane and how the plane will send the same to the missile, will be given. Also, some data on the missile's performance metrics might be shared (like the max launch altitude, it's kill envelope etc.). But that is not even close to enough to defeat the missile or to reverse engineer it. If that was possible, arms trade would have been a much smaller market.

So no, we as India have no such issues. You as a Pakistani might have issues with India procuring such a system.

 

[Hawkeye]

We already give such secrets to Russia, who are far more likely to give those secrets to China sir. France will not give our secrets at least to China and Pakistan, who are more present danger than NATO or anyone.

Also, France has never said no to integrating French weapons with Israeli radars. EU has said no to EU weapons on third party radars. So if Israel asks for Meteor on an Israeli platform or India asks for it on an Indian platform with Indian radar, that is allowed.

France’s meteor is from MBDA Europe, so it is same as France saying this.

 

[Army kid]

France’s meteor is from MBDA Europe, so it is same as France saying this.

Not really. France is one of the partners. But anyways, even if we agree to your contention, point remains that France/EU don't deny the integration with Israeli radars. They only say that we won't allow plane from one country, radar from second and then MBDA weapons. That is basically a marketing strategy to sell more combos, unless the country has it's own radars and planes.

Also, even that theory has been debunked a bit as Japanese F35's, with US planes and US radars, are getting Meteors via MBDA.

 

[Hawkeye]

I don't think them sharing the data with others is going to be a big issue, as they won't share them with our primary enemies China and Pakistan, like Russia will. Also, it is not easy to make a missile like that. There is something called black boxing. They will get the communication protocols of the missile with the jet. But they won't know what propellant is being used, how it is being regulated, which guidance or seeker tech is being used or how to even make it etc. All that is not shareable. Only a very limited portion, that is, how the missile will get data and inputs from the plane and how the plane will send the same to the missile, will be given. Also, some data on the missile's performance metrics might be shared (like the max launch altitude, it's kill envelope etc.). But that is not even close to enough to defeat the missile or to reverse engineer it. If that was possible, arms trade would have been a much smaller market.

So no, we as India have no such issues. You as a Pakistani might have issues with India procuring such a system.

How about German IRIS-T or French SAM-T or THAAD landing in Pakistan, all three programmed to defeat our missiles that we paif France to integrate in Rafale.

 

[Dembowx1]

Talking about Su57 is just beating a dead horse as of now sir. China has thoroughly studied the jet, and hence it's stealth, if it has any, is now unusable in a war. For a stealth plane, secrecy is everything and here our enemy has studied it inside and out. And IAF has anyways clearly stated that we won't be buying them, so there's that.

China stole the blueprints for the f-35. You don't see the US or Europe scrapping their fleets. "Stealth" is more than just the airframe. Is a lot of systems working together and planes can be upgraded. Russia in private , according to leaked intelligence documents, sees China as an "enemy" and Chinese spies as a huge problem. I highly doubt they're letting the Chinese study anything.

 

[Jabberwock]

Those missiles can’t be integrated into Rafale's without source code access. Also, Israel wouldn't like their missile secrets to go to France. The radar in Rafale can easily read the signature of a missile. This is why France doesn’t want us to integrate Meteor or Scalp in Tejas with Israeli radar.

These are air to ground munitions, you don't need the Rafale for them. Even Jaguar fired Rampage aeroballistic missiles with pinpoint accuracy!

 

[Army kid]

China stole the blueprints for the f-35. You don't see the US or Europe scrapping their fleets. "Stealth" is more than just the airframe. Is a lot of systems working together and planes can be upgraded. Russia in private , according to leaked intelligence documents, sees China as an "enemy" and Chinese spies as a huge problem. I highly doubt they're letting the Chinese study anything.

They never got the details on the stealth coatings and stuff sir. US kicked Turkey out of F35 project just because there was a possibilty of flying F35 close to S400. So indeed, stealth is a lot more than airframe and just some blueprint leaks isn't the same as getting unfettered access to a plane.

Russian intelligence sees China as an enemy sir. Just one department, to be specific. And that too, allegedly. Russian government itself has signed a treaty of friendship with them. So officially, on record, Russia has declared China a friend.

 

[Army kid]

How about German IRIS-T or French SAM-T or THAAD landing in Pakistan, all three programmed to defeat our missiles that we paif France to integrate in Rafale.

France hasn't sold any advanced system to Pakistan in almost a decade now, sir. Maybe even more. I don't recall anything being sold at all (apart from maybe spares, at max). So no chance of French SAM-T being sold. On the other hand Russia and Pakistan signed a deal for air defence systems back in the day. So great chance of S400 landing in Pakistan with codes for all the missiles integrated on Su30 MKI.

 

[Anil]

India has integrated Astra & other non Russian missile in Su30 without source code with consent from OEM. Russia has supplied detailed interface control documents (ICDs), intermediate software patches/modules, modular software components. Also DRDO has developed custom Weapon Interface Units (WIUs) & similar hardware that act as a bridge between the Su-30MKI's existing weapon control system and the Astra missile.