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.

 

[Philippe Picard]

Remember IAF is fond of foreign watch.

indeed, like you with your oriented francophobic comments...If you buy the Gripen...you kill your own tejas, dumbo....Better off, with Boeing et LM....By the way, I am in Canada...

 

[Deepak Hegde]

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.

 

[Philippe Picard]

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

"Dassault", clown...and also they smell bad...we learn nothing here...only insults.

 

[Pink Panther]

indeed, like you with your oriented francophobic comments...If you buy the Gripen...you kill your own tejas, dumbo....Better off, with Boeing et LM....By the way, I am in Canada...

If you are in Canada why are you supporting Rafale, Only one state in Canada quebec only speak French but not owned by France

 

[Apocalypse gupta]

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 🐚 🐚 🐚.

I think MRFA is dead.

 

[Pink Panther]

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.

That is their whole plan, take over DRAL and make Rafale themselves without any tie up with Indian public or private enterprises, so that 0 TOT is offered, GOI should even kill this dream of France and never let France taking over DRAL.

 

[Pink Panther]

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.

TOT to themself, if DRAL becomes Dassault India, who and why would they offer TOT..

 

[Philippe Picard]

If you are in Canada why are you supporting Rafale, Only one state in Canada quebec only speak French but not owned by France

and why you are constantly against the Rafale? Boeing kill our CS-Series...BTW, in Quebec, we don't pledge allegiance to the king of England...and you? Bharat or India? I prefer Bharat...

 

[Philippe Picard]

Here comes Picard Akshat,

Really? The guy is intelligent and you can learn something from him. He provides solid arguments and write pertinent contents. Also sandeep..I am pretty sure that you are the webmaster...Good job...Keep going...

 

[Bikramjeet Goswami]

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.

Tejas MK 2 delivery starting by 2028? Isn't that a bit too optimistic?

 

[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.