French aviation giant, Dassault Aviation, has announced plans to establish a new Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) facility in Noida, India. This move is aimed at providing comprehensive support for the French-origin fighter jets currently serving in the Indian Air Force, including the Mirage-2000 and the recently inducted Rafale.
This strategic decision aligns with India's vision of 'Aatmanirbharta' or self-reliance in defense, as the new Indian company, Dassault Aviation Maintenance Repair and Overhaul India (DAMROI), will be led by an Indian national, Posina Venkata Rao, a seasoned Dassault representative in India. The company will also employ a mixed workforce of French and Indian nationals, further promoting knowledge transfer and skill development in the country.
The Noida facility will progressively expand its MRO activities, collaborating with the Indian aeronautical industry to significantly enhance support capabilities for French fighter aircraft. Additionally, it is expected to provide support to the aging Jaguar deep penetration fighter jets, which share a French connection.
This development comes at a crucial time as Dassault is also in talks with the Indian Navy to sell its Rafale Marine jets for deployment on the INS Vikrant aircraft carrier. The Indian Air Force has already established two bases for Rafale fighters in Ambala and Hashimara.
The establishment of DAMROI signifies a major step towards bolstering India's self-sufficiency in defense maintenance and repair, reducing dependence on foreign entities, and fostering a robust domestic aerospace ecosystem.
