Rafale Demand Strains Supply: India Key to Dassault's Solution

French aviation behemoth Dassault is savoring the success of its Rafale fighter jet but faces a complex production dilemma.

An order backlog of 211 Rafales – 141 for export and 70 for the French Air Force – leaves the company eager to boost production.

Yet, a confluence of obstacles could result in new customers facing a decade-long delivery wait.

The Production Bottleneck​

Dassault hopes to double production from 13 to 20 jets annually, which would still take a full decade to clear the backlog.

A shortage of skilled engineers within the Rafale's intricate supply chain presents the primary roadblock.

Additionally, suppliers are reluctant to invest in capacity expansion amid worries about the long-term sustainability of higher production rates.

India: A Potential Lifeline​

Dassault sees a solution in India, a key Rafale customer.

A proposed takeover of Dassault Reliance Aerospace Limited (DRAL), the French firm's joint venture with Reliance Group, aims to facilitate increased outsourcing of Rafale components to Indian suppliers.

Additionally, a second production line established at DRAL's Nagpur facility could produce 6-8 Rafales per year.

Analysis​

While an Indian production line wouldn't solve Dassault's immediate backlog, but it's a strategic play.

It signals a commitment to fulfilling Indian orders (including the potential 27 Rafale M jets in 2024) and tackling future demand.

This could reassure hesitant customers, particularly those seeking long-term reliability rather than immediate delivery.

Conclusion​

The Rafale's popularity is undeniable, but the production bottleneck is a harsh reality.

Dassault's ability to overcome supply-chain limitations and its partnership strategy with India will determine its success in meeting global demand.

If Dassault can navigate these challenges, the Rafale's dominance in the skies could endure for decades to come.

 

[vinod nair]

Courtesy India air force, too much hype

 

[Apocalypse gupta]

I dont think we can trust the frenchies. They are too too fond of being eurocentric- keeping europian defence industry in europe. Unless some concrete arrangement is made, I will not raise my hopes

 

[Apocalypse gupta]

Courtesy India air force, too much hype

This hype is partly media hype and partly done by france. Where does IAF play a role in this.

 

[NSR]

How can Dassault trust about to go to Jail Anil Ambani DRAL company Rafale quality when it can't trust or guarantee HAL quality?
Perhaps Dassault will say it will take over DRAL 100%, and then do screwdriver jobs in India.
No one will know what will be happening in DRAL and Dassault will pick up Bichana and leave as soon as orders dries out.
It will delay productions to extract maximum amount of inflation adjusted prices like Mirage-2000 upgrade.

Pure politicking to avoid transfer of any TOT or full manufacturing knowledge to India.
Tragedy of Mirage2000 will surely follow.

 

[sanket]

So Established Players are producing 13 Fighter jets per year .& aiming for 20 per year that too with 6to8 from another country production line.

 

[Anant]

How can Dassault trust about to go to Jail Anil Ambani DRAL company Rafale quality when it can't trust or guarantee HAL quality?
Perhaps Dassault will say it will take over DRAL 100%, and then do screwdriver jobs in India.
No one will know what will be happening in DRAL and Dassault will pick up Bichana and leave as soon as orders dries out.
It will delay productions to extract maximum amount of inflation adjusted prices like Mirage-2000 upgrade.

Pure politicking to avoid transfer of any TOT or full manufacturing knowledge to India.
Tragedy of Mirage2000 will surely follow.

If you read the article, it does mention that Dassault would take over DRAL, and outsource some parts to what will essentially become Dassault India. Then, they will also look to establish a 6-8 aircraft per year line in India.

As for ToT, they have already mentioned that ToT and full local production will happen if we order atleast 100 Rafales.

 

[NSR]

If you read the article, it does mention that Dassault would take over DRAL, and outsource some parts to what will essentially become Dassault India. Then, they will also look to establish a 6-8 aircraft per year line in India.

As for ToT, they have already mentioned that ToT and full local production will happen if we order atleast 100 Rafales.

Dassault spinning dozens of stories over last decade and half.

India is not going to sell DRAL to Dassault for their 100% control.

Your own writing is very contradictory. Perhaps you would read again.
They mentioned and mentioned and mentioned but never delivered at all.
Perhaps you wish to read Parliamentary CAG reports and fines for not fulfilling offsets. Offset money is gone and they will pay paltry fines and stonewall.

For whom do they deliver TOT? To Dassault India???
How can you be so naive after so many years of experience with Mirage-2000, Scorpene, and now Rafale?

 

[Guru]

Dassualt is the most corrupt aerospace company and the French are the worst among europeans.

 

[Arz786]

Dassault spinning dozens of stories over last decade and half.

India is not going to sell DRAL to Dassault for their 100% control.

Your own writing is very contradictory. Perhaps you would read again.
They mentioned and mentioned and mentioned but never delivered at all.
Perhaps you wish to read Parliamentary CAG reports and fines for not fulfilling offsets. Offset money is gone and they will pay paltry fines and stonewall.

For whom do they deliver TOT? To Dassault India???
How can you be so naive after so many years of experience with Mirage-2000, Scorpene, and now Rafale?

HAL screw-drivered Jaguar, Su-30. Tata is screw drivering C-295. Why do we think think that a foreign company will be charitable to us and transfer know-why to us ? Because we are the chosen people ?!!

If we want to be self-reliant we should complete development of LCA Mk-2 and produce that as fast as we can. However, by all indications, we shall roll out the first prototype of Mk-2 only by 2025. The six squadrons that are likely to be ordered, will start getting delivered from 2028 if everything goes alright and will not be finished before 2034. By 2035, we will have phased out Jaguars, MIG-29 and Mirage-2000s. So, by 2035, we will have 10-12 squadrons of LCA MK 1A, 6 squadrons of LCA Mk-2, 15 squadrons of Su-30 MK1A and Super Sukhois, and 2 squadrons of Rafale that we already have.

What about AMCA ? the first flying prototype of AMCA is only expected in 2030. Therefore, series production will not start before 2036. We need 42 squadrons to fight a two front war. The shortfall of 9-10 squadrons need to be ordered now. Hence we need Rafale or a foreign aircraft that can plug that gap. IAF said it would need 6 squadrons of this MRCA (read Rafale). I do not think we should squeal if they are assembled here under some ToT. Purpose is to plug the operational capability gap here with whatever boost we can get to the local defence manufacturing ecosytem would be nice to have. For developing indigenous capability, our focus should be LCA Mk-2, AMCA, TEDBF etc.

 

[Sandeep]

Dassualt is the most corrupt aerospace company and the French are the worst among europeans.

How are they corrupt? What did they do wrong?

 

[Sandeep]

This is further proof that India won't buy anymore jets for the MRFA projects except for the naval Rafale jets. Dassault doesn't have the capacity to clear the backlog of the orders placed which will take at least the 10 years to finish manufacturing more of the jets and upcoming orders placed by others.

 

[Pad UwU]

They should done this from the start 🙃😜

 

[Pink Panther]

Courtesy India air force, too much hype

Prospects of Rafale for MRFA is doomed, so it will be different fighter jet if at all GOI decides to buy foreign jet for MRFA.

 

[Pink Panther]

This hype is partly media hype and partly done by france. Where does IAF play a role in this.

Remember IAF is fond of foreign watch.

 

[Pink Panther]

I dont think we can trust the frenchies. They are too too fond of being eurocentric- keeping europian defence industry in europe. Unless some concrete arrangement is made, I will not raise my hopes

Yes, they will rather open a factory in Croatia or Slovakia where labor is much cheaper than India or even in Bangladesh than in India, so Rafale for MRFA 🐚 🐚 🐚.

 

[Philippe Picard]

Prospects of Rafale for MRFA is doomed, so it will be different fighter jet if at all GOI decides to buy foreign jet for MRFA.

Really? Keep going, you amuse me...You sound more like Clouzot...

 

[Philippe Picard]

I dont think we can trust the frenchies. They are too too fond of being eurocentric- keeping europian defence industry in europe. Unless some concrete arrangement is made, I will not raise my hopes

Better of to be a screwdriver for the anglo-american...like the guy old guy NSR, the poor man seems to be senile. the same old cassette about the "obsolete garaged mirage 2000"...what a clown.

 

[Pink Panther]

Really? Keep going, you amuse me...You sound more like Clouzot...

Here comes Picard Akshat,

 

[Philippe Picard]

Yes, they will rather open a factory in Croatia or Slovakia where labor is much cheaper than India or even in Bangladesh than in India, so Rafale for MRFA 🐚 🐚 🐚.

you are probably related to the webmaster...your are a kind of a cheerleader to promote this site.