Reliance Infrastructure has partnered French aviation major Dassault Aviation to manufacture Falcon 2000 business jets in India. The company said that its subsidiary company, Reliance Aerostructure, will assemble the jets at the existing manufacturing facility in Nagpur, Maharashtra.
This is the first time Falcon 2000 jets will be manufactured outside France.
Additionally, Reliance Infrastructure will also assemble the front sections of Falcon 8X and Falcon 6X jets. Dassault Reliance Aviation, the joint venture between the two companies, will also become the Centre of Excellence for the Falcon series.
Anil Ambani, Founder Chairman, Reliance Group said, “Our partnership with Dassault Aviation represents a landmark in Reliance Group’s journey, as we work together to firmly position India as a vital hub in the global aerospace value chain.”
The partnership between the two companies will enhance India’s capability in aerospace manufacturing. The United States, France, Canada, and Brazil are the only countries making the next-generation business jets.
Reliance Infrastructure JV with Dassault
Reliance Infrastructure and Dassault Aviation started the joint venture Dassault Reliance Aviation Limited (DRAL) in 2017. The JV was formed to assemble the sections of Falcon 2000 business jets at the newly established facility at Nagpur.
The joint venture made its first delivery of the assembled front section of the Falcon 2000 jet in 2019. Since then, it has delivered 100 major sub-sections of the Falcon Jet.
Eric Trappier, Chairman and CEO of Dassault Aviation said that this new agreement, which will make DRAL the first centre of excellence for Falcon assembly outside France and eventually enable the establishment of a final assembly line for the Falcon 2000, illustrates, “our firm intent to meet our ‘Make in India’ commitments, and to contribute to the recognition of India as a major partner in the global aerospace supply chain. It marks the ramp-up of DRAL, in line with the strategic vision shared with our partner Reliance”