Tata Advanced Systems has partnered with the French military and civilian aircraft maker Dassault Aviation. The Tata group company has signed four Production Transfer Agreements to manufacture aircraft fuselage for the Rafale fighter jet.
According to a statement by Dassault Aviation, Tata Advanced Systems will set up a production facility in Hyderabad. The newly established cutting-edge facility will manufacture some key sections of the Rafale jet. It will manufacture the central and rear fuselage, the front section, and the complete rear section of the aircraft.
The aircraft fuselage is the central structure of the aircraft to which all components, such as wings, tail, landing gear, and engine, are attached
Importance of the deal
Tata Advanced Systems is a leading private sector aerospace and defence company in India. It manufactures key defense systems like missile launchers, rockets, radar, sonar systems, aero engines, artillery, and manned and unmanned vehicles.
The production transfer deal with Dassault is a significant step towards strengthening the aerospace manufacturing capabilities of not just Tata Advanced but also the whole defence manufacturing industry of India
“This partnership marks a significant step in India’s aerospace journey. The production of the complete Rafale fuselage in India underscores the deepening trust in Tata Advanced Systems’ capabilities and the strength of our collaboration with Dassault Aviation.”, Sukaran Singh, Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director, Tata Advanced Systems, said in a statement.
He added that the remarkable progress India has made in establishing a modern, robust aerospace manufacturing ecosystem that can support global platforms.
Production phase
The work on the Hyderabad facility is expected to start soon, as Dassault Aviation has said that the first fuselage sections are expected to be manufactured by fiscal year 2028.
Talking about the production capacity of the facility, the company has said that the facility will deliver up to two fuselages every month