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.

 

[Amit Ray]

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

Stupid remark, seems you are an expert on Europeans. Why are you badmouthing the French? Since we are purchasing from them, you must keep your trap shut. This is not the place.

 

[Amit Ray]

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

Why don't you build yourself instead of going for phoren defence platforms and also criticizing and badmouthing them . If the Chinese can do it, why can't you??

 

[Amit Ray]

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?

What are you doing, all your projects are running late, with these speed do you expect to fill your shortfall within near future. If you don't fill your operational gaps asap, your enemies will run you over. You just ponder, ponder and then surrender.

 

[Apocalypse gupta]

Why don't you build yourself instead of going for phoren defence platforms and also criticizing and badmouthing them . If the Chinese can do it, why can't you??

I am not trained to build advanced twin engine fighter jets.

 

[Amit Ray]

India should not make the same mistake it made with the Mirage 2000 between 2000-2005. As of now, Rafale is the best on offer for India and already known to India. Best to go in for Gov-to-Gov offer for the Rafale, build in India and just abandon the bidding tamasha with other contenders in favor of national security.

Whatever, Rafale or super hornet or F21 anything, do it Asap ,fill your operational gap immediately, less you will regret later. Chinese are marching at top speed soon the gap will be too wide to fill and even the Pakistan are being armed by the Chinese.

 

[Amit Ray]

Pure politicking to avoid transfer of any TOT or full manufacturing knowledge to India.

Typical wicked Indian brain

 

[Amit Ray]

I am not trained to build advanced twin engine fighter jets.

Hey I'm not asking you but talking about the capabilities of our fellow Indians.

 

[Apocalypse gupta]

Hey I'm not asking you but talking about the capabilities of our fellow Indians.

We already have capability to build 4th gen and 4.5 gen fighters and are developing 5th gen. We planned to buy rafales because china has large number of 5th gen fighters already, and our 5th gen and 4.5 gen fighters were years away from entering mass production. There was a capability gap.

 

[Pink Panther]

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.

I agree buying $300Mln 4th gen jet is unnecessary.

 

[Pink Panther]

Whatever, Rafale or super hornet or F21 anything, do it Asap ,fill your operational gap immediately, less you will regret later. Chinese are marching at top speed soon the gap will be too wide to fill and even the Pakistan are being armed by the Chinese.

Yes armed with 5th gen aircraft when watch loving IAF is thinking about ancient tech $300Mln 4th gen aircraft.

 

[Santosh Kumar pal]

It will be good for lndia to buy Boeing F15 EX fighter jets and Jointly build this fighter jets with Tata aerospace in lndia.
US government will be happy with lndian government decision.
Boeing F15 EX fighter jets are far better than Lockheed Martin 5th generation F35 fighter jets because F15 EX fighter jet weapon payload capacity is greater than F35 fighter jet and lt has no accident otherhand,F35 fighter jets has accident records.
It will be better to use 145kn GE jet engine in Boeing F15 EX fighter jet.
Secondly, lndian government can purchase fighter jets from Russia.
IAF can buy SU-35 jets or fifth generation SU-57 fighter jets.
Jai Hind.

 

[Amit Ray]

We already have capability to build 4th gen and 4.5 gen fighters and are developing 5th gen. We planned to buy rafales because china has large number of 5th gen fighters already, and our 5th gen and 4.5 gen fighters were years away from entering mass production. There was a capability gap.

Not was but is, there's definitely a capability gap.

 

[Apocalypse gupta]

Not was but is, there's definitely a capability gap.

I agree, I was referring to 2018-19 when rafale was ordered. China had started mass producing J-20, so our defence planners wanted to buy rafales to counter that.

 

[NSR]

Typical wicked Indian brain

Typical No Indian Brain so no thinking power.

 

[Amit Ray]

Typical No Indian Brain so no thinking power.

Yeah thinking rubbish and demeaning others.

 

[NSR]

Yeah thinking rubbish and demeaning others.

You are surely qualified for sweeper of rubbish in those screw driving factories.
Good chai and samosas included free for sweeping rubbish.

 

[Amit Ray]

You are surely qualified for sweeper of rubbish in those screw driving factories.
Good chai and samosas included free for sweeping rubbish.

I'm much more qualified than most of the people here and have many years of experience of handling stupid people like you and sending them to jail.

 

[NSR]

I'm much more qualified than most of the people here and have many years of experience of handling stupid people like you and sending them to jail.

Yo MoFu you are threatening now and you are really a disgusting one and get lost for good.

If you have any KG standard English reading, comprehension, and writing, then you would not accost, insult, etc people on this website.
You are surely very good for sweeping rubbish and scavenging from it to survive in life.

I worked for 3+ decades in space, defense and aerospace industries and know a dimwit when I see their writings.

Actually, you will get jailed for cyber bullying and harassing.
So get lost and stop posting on my posts.