Dassault Explores Rafale Assembly Line in India to Meet Surging Global Demand, Boosting Rafale's Chances for MRFA Tender

French aerospace company Dassault Aviation is considering setting up a final assembly line (FAL) for its Rafale fighter jets in India, a move that could significantly impact India's defense manufacturing capabilities.

This development, initially reported by the French publication L'Usine Nouvelle, comes in response to growing international demand for the Rafale and anticipated large-scale orders from India.

Dassault Aviation's CEO, Éric Trappier, indicated that the potential assembly line is a strategic response to India's plans for substantial defense acquisitions. He stated that India is planning large orders, and establishing a local assembly line could help manage this increased production demand.

The Rafale, a 4.5-generation multirole fighter aircraft, is known for its adaptability and sophisticated electronic systems. Dassault has previously supplied 36 Rafales to India under a 2016 contract valued at approximately €7.87 billion (around $9.4 billion), with all deliveries completed by 2022.

Currently, the Indian Air Force (IAF) is considering further acquisitions to address a significant operational deficit. The Indian Air Force is currently short of its requirement. Concurrently, the Indian Navy is nearing the completion of a deal to acquire 26 Rafale Marine fighter jets for deployment on the INS Vikrant aircraft carrier.

These potential Indian orders, combined with existing contracts from countries like Egypt, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates, are prompting Dassault to increase production beyond its current capabilities. The Mérignac facility in France Currently, Produces one to two aircraft per month.

Creating a final assembly line in India offers a practical solution to these manufacturing pressures. Dassault has already established a presence in India through the Dassault Reliance Aerospace Limited (DRAL) joint venture, located in Nagpur. This facility currently manufactures parts for the Rafale, such as sections of the fuselage and wings.

A full assembly line would represent a major expansion of this partnership, potentially involving the assembly of complete aircraft from kits imported from France. This model is similar to how Lockheed Martin operates F-16 production lines in countries like Turkey and South Korea.

This initiative presents both economic and strategic advantages. If the Indian Air Force selects the Rafale for its Multi-Role Fighter Aircraft (MRFA) tender, which calls for 114 jets, India's potential orders could surpass 100 additional aircraft. Local assembly could lead to cost savings, leveraging India's comparatively lower labor costs.

Furthermore, Indian Labor rates are 20-30% of European levels. It would also help avoid supply chain issues affecting Europe, including shortages of materials like titanium and electronic components. For India, it offers the benefits of job creation, technology transfer, and a strengthened defense industrial base. This is particularly crucial as the IAF aims to reach 450 jets by 2040, all while the ageing MiG-21s and Jaguars being phased out of service.

Dassault's pre-existing support network in India, including maintenance facilities and a spare parts supply chain, would facilitate the operation of a new assembly line. The company's previous successful navigation of India's complex procurement procedures in the 2016 deal also gives it an advantage over competitors in the MRFA competition, such as Boeing's F/A-18 or Russia's Su-35. The IAF's existing operational experience with the Rafale further strengthens Dassault's position.

Increasing production, however, presents challenges. Dassault aims to increase the output of its Mérignac plant to three Rafales per month by 2026, but ongoing supply chain difficulties, worsened by the COVID-19 pandemic and sanctions against Russia, remain a concern.

Furthermore, establishing an Indian assembly line, with an estimated cost of $500-700 million, would require a significant investment and take an estimated three to five years to become fully operational. This process would involve training skilled workers and obtaining necessary regulatory clearances. According to industry analysis, establishing a new assembly line involves several phases: site selection, infrastructure development, workforce training, technology transfer, and certification.

 

[Santosh munde advocate]

If Dassault won't, Russians have the same offer, actually a better one.

 

[Santosh munde advocate]

Willingly or unwillingly, the USA failed to deliver the GE 404 engine on time due to supply chain issues or political pressure. Then, we believe they will provide the GE 414 on time, and also the F-35. And let us use it as we want. Their mindset is changed after every election in 4 years. The USA didn't deliver Apache helicopters so far, and helped Pakistan to modernize F-16s. Still, we have faith in them, great.

 

[P2S2]

They are greedy, and yet they are always L1. Interesting.

Don't spread lies to further your import agenda. Rafale doesn't have any spare production capacity. Its supply chain issue is well known, and it is struggling to meet the existing demand, and you're just trying to peddle false information. Listen, when we are spending billions of dollars on buying the fighter, we expect it to meet our requirements, which need to address our threats. Saying Typhoon doesn't have that option and Rafale is the only one available doesn't cut it. Keep your agendas to yourself. I have said this before and saying it again. You are a third-rate lie peddler.

Excellent comments. Indians are wide-eyed due to others writing them off. We will rise up with eyes wide open well experienced. It seems like the French managed to squeeze Rafale into our system. Our hands are full of Russian and European thinking techniques and we will take stock of what we have, what we have learnt against our indigenous ways and come out with our contribution. France is becoming reasonable, offering something similar or better than our partners and most likely they will invest in advance of meeting our requirements because it assists them to overcome shortfalls to their present situation in Europe. We are a way of life and our wisdom will assist France to keep ticking far longer. Viva la Francis

 

[kkr]

Any Fighter plane is vulnerable against swarm of drones.....Just compare unmanned, cheapest numbers of drones with only one very costly,manned by human Fighter plane from any country and of any
platform.

 

[kkr]

With vast coastline, Naval power is of verbal high importance.

 

[kkr]

very high importance.

 

[P2S2]

Any Fighter plane is vulnerable against swarm of drones.....Just compare unmanned, cheapest numbers of drones with only one very costly,manned by human Fighter plane from any country and of any
platform.

Area Denial can come in many forms. The Chinese are building something to look down into the IOR in Yunan. They are touchy in those regions. Also building a massive dam above East India. They have huge dams in the centre which are vulnerable to enemies creating disasters during hostilities. They built their Great Wall as Area Denial. Yes a single pilot could deny Indian airspace to enemies. Technically Area Denial can take place by other means. Projectile Wastage on dummies is presently addressed with energy beams to melt or disable stuff. There are many possibilities. We require young brains to look at situations where Adults keep going around in circles. They can be suitably remunerated.

 

[P2S2]

With vast coastline, Naval power is of verbal high importance.

Massive investment in building tonnage. Creating huge Ocean going Ferries with accommodation would garner Ageing market and provide luxurious travel opportunities. India, Mauritius should move first. Inviting South Korean Shipyards to utilise those coastlines teeming with workers is the way to go.

 

[P2S2]

very high importance.

Yes CRITICAL. The youth need to be more forthcoming.

 

[P2S2]

Willingly or unwillingly, the USA failed to deliver the GE 404 engine on time due to supply chain issues or political pressure. Then, we believe they will provide the GE 414 on time, and also the F-35. And let us use it as we want. Their mindset is changed after every election in 4 years. The USA didn't deliver Apache helicopters so far, and helped Pakistan to modernize F-16s. Still, we have faith in them, great.

When you tremble, they generate fear. When you strengthen, they generate obstructions. The world has managed to overcome killings of humans for eons. We have managed to cross 8 billion, we are just too numerous to be wiped out by their World Population Reduction Institutes. Indira Ghandi fell for it and tried to kill unborn babies. The CCP had a frightened Population that they killed babies in the womb. All kinds of methods, Fashion, Behavioural Sciences, promoting Rights to kill the unborn, jumping up and down about whatever are financed. Greta gets her food after she has saved our planet. Now they have a President who wants to stop printing money. We can assist him by allowing him to make our masala double its price in NY. Our masala will be known as Premium masala in NY and become fashionable.