Dassault Aviation has reported a significant surge in Rafale fighter jet deliveries for the year 2025, highlighting an unprecedented global demand that is rapidly outstripping the company’s current production capabilities in France.
In its latest operational disclosures, the French aerospace major confirmed the handover of 26 Rafale fighters in 2025, comprising 11 aircraft for the French Air and Space Force and 15 for export customers.
This represents a marked improvement over 2024, when 21 jets were delivered—14 to France and seven to international operators.
Despite this uptick in output, Dassault’s expanding order book, which now sits at a record high due to contracts from nations including Indonesia, the United Arab Emirates, and Egypt, has placed immense pressure on its Merignac assembly line.
To bridge the gap between supply and demand, the company is pivoting towards a major strategic expansion, with India positioned as the linchpin of its future global production ecosystem.
A New Manufacturing Line in India
Dassault has formally outlined a proposal to establish a comprehensive Rafale manufacturing facility in India, contingent upon securing the Indian Air Force’s (IAF) contract for 114 jets under the Multi-Role Fighter Aircraft (MRFA) programme.Unlike a simple assembly line, this facility is envisioned as a full-scale production hub capable of rolling out two Rafale fighters per month.
Industry experts estimate that if the Indian line becomes operational, Dassault’s combined global production capacity would comfortably exceed 50 aircraft per year—effectively doubling its current annual throughput of roughly 26 jets.
This scaling is viewed as critical, not only to satisfy existing delivery timelines but also to accommodate potential future orders currently under negotiation with nations in the Middle East and South America.
India as a Global Export Hub
A key differentiator in Dassault’s proposal is the intent to utilise the Indian facility as a global export hub.The plant would not solely serve the IAF; instead, it would function alongside the French production line to supply Rafale fighters to third-party countries.
This strategy marks a shift from the traditional "buyer-seller" relationship to a deeper industrial partnership, aligning seamlessly with the Indian government's 'Make in India' and 'Atmanirbhar Bharat' initiatives.
The foundation for this ecosystem already exists.
The Dassault Reliance Aerospace Limited (DRAL) facility in Nagpur, which currently manufactures cockpit assemblies and Falcon business jet parts, is expected to be the nucleus of this expansion.
Scaling this up to a final assembly line for fighters would represent a massive industrial leap.
Strategic Benefits and Technology Transfer
For India, hosting a 4.5 generation fighter production line would yield substantial strategic dividends.It promises the creation of an extensive domestic supply chain and deep technology absorption in critical domains such as avionics integration, advanced aerostructures, and quality assurance.
This expertise is expected to catalyse India’s indigenous defence projects, including the Tejas Mk2 and the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA).
Transitioning to High-Volume Production
The move signals Dassault’s transition from a boutique manufacturer to a high-volume global supplier.With geopolitical instability driving renewed investments in combat aviation worldwide, the Rafale has cemented its position as a preferred platform for air dominance.
As 2026 begins, the focus now shifts to the Indian government’s decision on the MRFA tender. For Dassault, the Indian market is no longer just a destination for sales, but the essential engine required to power its next phase of global growth.
