Reliance Infra share price jumps 5% on partnership with Rafale jet manufacturer Dassault Aviation
Anil Ambani-led company shares opened at ₹ 309.50, as compared to previous close of ₹ 386.50. Reliance Infra stock has given significant gains to its investors by soaring over 44 per cent in a month and nearly 37 per cent in six months despite volatile market.
Reliance Infra's subsidiary company Reliance Aerostructure, will partner with Dassault to produce Falcon 2000 business jets domestically in India.
This is the first instance where Dassault will assemble its Falcon aircraft outside of France. With this milestone, India becomes one of the few countries—alongside the US, France, Canada, and Brazil—that produce business jets for international markets.
The first Falcon 2000 aircraft manufactured in India is anticipated to be ready by 2028, designed to meet both corporate and military requirements.
Unveiled at the Paris Air Show, the agreement entails establishing a final assembly line at Dassault Reliance Aerospace Limited (DRAL) in Nagpur, Maharashtra. This facility will act as a global centre of excellence for the Falcon series and is also expected to support future assembly projects for the Falcon 6X and 8X models.
Under the agreement, Dassault Reliance Aerospace Limited (DRAL)—a joint venture between Dassault and Reliance Aerospace—will set up a cutting-edge final assembly line for the Falcon 2000 aircraft in Nagpur, Maharashtra. This facility will also serve as a Centre of Excellence (CoE) for Dassault's Falcon series, supporting future assembly programmes for models like the Falcon 6X and Falcon 8X.
Disclaimer: This story is for educational purposes only. The views and recommendations above are those of individual analysts or broking companies, not Mint. We advise investors to check with certified experts before making any investment decisions.
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News18
33 minutes ago
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F-35, Su-57 Or AMCA: Which Fifth-Generation Fighter Aircraft Will Help India Fly Higher & Better?
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However, Minister of State for External Affairs, Kirti Vardhan Singh, recently clarified in Parliament that 'no formal discussions have been held as yet on this issue" concerning the F-35. He referred to the India-US Joint Statement from February 2025, following Prime Minister Narendra Modi's meeting with President Trump, in which the US agreed to 'undertake a review of its policy on releasing fifth-generation fighters (such as the F-35) and undersea systems to India." However, this was only a policy review, and no proposal or negotiation has been initiated between the two nations. The offer from the United States to potentially supply F-35 fifth-generation stealth fighters has been a headline-grabbing development since its inception, but an analysis of India's defence ecosystem, technical realities, and indigenous ambitions shows why this deal is unlikely to materialize soon. Speaking on the current scenario, Dinakar Peri, Fellow, Security Studies at Carnegie India says, 'While the lack of a fifth generation fighter jet is going to be a glaring gap in the IAF for the near term, the choice of importing a FGFA in small numbers is a hard one to make. The indigenous AMCA is just taking off in development terms and is about a decade away. Another interim buy may take resources and time away from the crucial programme." Why Not F35? The Indian Air Force currently operates a variety of fighter jets, including the Russian-origin Su-30MKI, French Rafale, indigenous Tejas, Mirage 2000, and Jaguar. Over the past few years, India has created an ecosystem supporting these fighters, with advantages in desired integration, interoperability, availability of expert crew, and maintenance facilities. 'When selecting an aircraft, it's not just about acquiring a platform that can fly. You must consider its compatibility with your operational needs—whether it can integrate with existing systems, communicate effectively with other platforms, and support your current weapons and infrastructure. The F-35 introduces a completely new ecosystem with predominantly American systems, which may limit flexibility and pose challenges for existing systems," said a senior Indian Air Force fighter pilot, speaking on condition of anonymity. Dinakar Peri says, 'The F-35 is the cutting edge of stealth and military aviation. However, that necessarily doesn't mean it is the best bet for India for a variety of reasons. India doesn't have the US fighter ecosystem and going through the curve will be a long curve." 'A more pertinent aspect is how much the US wants the F35 to be integrated into India's military ecosystem which has high-end Russian systems like SU-30MKIs, S-400 air defence systems in addition to French and Israeli system among others. Without seamless integration, the F35 cannot become an effective platform that it's envisaged to be, nor can the aircraft itself be fully exploited to its full potential," he added. Su-57 As An Option Many consider the Russian Su-57 a viable option given the circumstances surrounding the F-35. However, this option comes with its own challenges. Along with the fear of sanctions and political pressure, there are sufficient reasons to believe that deliveries will be delayed, and the jet may not fully serve its intended purpose. While the Su-57 offers benefits like technology transfer and easier integration given India's existing Russian aircraft ecosystem, its issues—delayed production, sanctions risks, past technological concerns, payment hurdles, and alignment complexities— bring challenges. Wait For AMCA Following Defence Minister Rajnath Singh's approval, public and private sector companies can collaborate to execute India's Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) program. While development is progressing rapidly, the prototype is not expected before 2027-28. DRDO officials have indicated that the aircraft's induction will likely occur no earlier than 2036. This timeline exacerbates the existing shortage of fighter jets in the Indian Air Force. Consequently, experts suggest inducting 4th Generation Plus (4Gen+) aircraft to bridge the gap until the AMCA is operational. top videos View all Dinkar Peri, talking on the way out, says 'The real crisis in the IAF today is shortage of fighters, 4th gen plus, and the numbers are set to go down further. The primary focus should be on ramping up the LCA production and the MRFA that are meant to address this." Indian Air Force currently operates 30-31 squadrons against a sanctioned strength of 42.5 squadrons. While there were expectations that the LCA Mk1A and Mk2 would help bridge this gap, delays in their delivery have hindered progress. With adversaries like China and Pakistan accelerating their aircraft production and inductions, the geopolitical scenario pushes the urgency to address this shortfall which experts believe is very important to focus on. About the Author Akash Sharma Akash Sharma, Defence Correspondent, CNN-News 18, covers the Ministry of Defence and Ministry of Railways. In addition, he also follows developments in the national capital. With an extensive experience More Get breaking news, in-depth analysis, and expert perspectives on everything from politics to crime and society. Stay informed with the latest India news only on News18. Download the News18 App to stay updated! tags : fighter jets India Air Force news18 specials view comments Location : New Delhi, India, India First Published: August 03, 2025, 15:53 IST News india F-35, Su-57 Or AMCA: Which Fifth-Generation Fighter Aircraft Will Help India Fly Higher & Better? Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Mint
35 minutes ago
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Trump's ‘slap in the Face' puts neutral Switzerland in trade-war crossfire
When Nicola Tettamanti looked at his phone Friday morning, his first reaction was disbelief: Overnight, President Trump had slapped Switzerland with close to the highest tariffs of any country in the world. Tettamanti is the chief executive of a 55-year-old precision toolmaking business nestled in this mountain-hugged town. He had planned in the near future to expand further into the U.S. by opening an office in Indiana. His company, Tecnopinz, counts on the American market for as much as a fifth of the demand for its components for industrial machines that make cars, planes and watches. 'I had to check my phone twice, I thought it was fake news," said Tettamanti on the company's factory floor, about two scenic hours by train south of Zurich. 'This is a catastrophic scenario." In a land famed for its neutrality and order, the Swiss reacted with shock and confusion to Trump's decision to impose a 39% tariff—higher than all but three nations on last week's executive order, Laos, Myanmar and Syria. Switzerland is one of the few nations whose Aug. 1 tariff rate was higher than Trump's April 'Liberation Day" threats. The move upended months of negotiations in which Swiss officials believed they were on the verge of securing a favorable deal. For Tecnopinz, a precision maker of industrial machine components two hours south of Zurich, U.S. tariffs on Swiss imports are a 'catastrophic scenario,' the CEO said. Business leaders and politicians are scrambling to understand why their historically stable relationship with Washington has suddenly fractured. The Swiss newspaper Blick called it the country's biggest defeat since French victory in the Battle of Marignano in 1515. 'Switzerland is not a threat to U.S. national security," said Jan Atteslander, member of the executive board at Swiss business organization Economiesuisse. 'Our chocolate and watches don't endanger U.S. manufacturing." Many here now wonder whether Switzerland's go-it-alone stance in the world should be jettisoned for a closer relationship with the European Union, which struck a more advantageous 15% rate with Trump. 'We're a small country, we're extremely vulnerable and we've just been humiliated," said Sherban Tautu, founder of Geneva-based asset manager Ten Edges Capital. 'The cost of being independent suddenly becomes cruelly obvious to people." The levy on Switzerland, which could still change until an Aug. 7 deadline, threatens to cripple key sectors of the Alpine nation's export-reliant economy. The U.S. is Switzerland's top export market for goods including watches, chocolates, drugs and machine tools. It puts the nation at a steep disadvantage to EU neighbors Germany, Italy and France. Switzerland earns its every second franc from foreign trade and around 19% of its exports go to the U.S., its largest market, according to UBS. The relationship is a two-way street, however: Switzerland is the sixth-largest foreign investor in the U.S., according to Economiesuisse, with major companies such as Nestlé, Roche and Novartis and others supporting some 400,000 American jobs. But the key issue for Trump is that the nine million-strong nation has one of the largest trade imbalances with the U.S. The deficit in goods has skyrocketed this year due to a surge in pharmaceutical and gold imports looking to get to the U.S. ahead of anticipated tariffs. The deficit was nearly $50 billion this year through May, ranking as the fifth-largest goods-trade imbalance among U.S. trading partners. In June, the U.S. Treasury Department added Switzerland to its watchlist for unfair economic and currency practices. During Trump's first term, it labeled Switzerland a currency manipulator, accusing it of weakening the franc to aid exports. The central bank has said it intervenes in currency markets to stabilize inflation, not for trade advantage. Addressing crowds on Friday gathered to celebrate the country's founding charter, signed in 1291, President Karin Keller-Sutter said that 'Switzerland has repeatedly experienced storms" and will find a solution. For months, Keller-Sutter and her officials had been negotiating a deal that would see Switzerland invest around $150 billion into the U.S. and keep its exports at a lower tariff rate than for the EU. The two sides met in Washington in April, after which Keller-Sutter said that Switzerland was one of 15 countries the U.S. was working with on negotiations to reach fast deals. Switzerland gained further credibility when it hosted trade talks between the U.S. and China in May that led to a dialing-down of hostilities. In recent weeks, Swiss government officials suggested a deal was in its final stages. That optimism evaporated late Thursday after a phone call with Trump, following which Keller-Sutter posted on X that 'no agreement could be reached." 'We have a $40 billion deficit with Switzerland. That's a big deficit," Trump said on Friday. Rahul Sahgal, chief executive of the Swiss-American Chamber of Commerce, said his group worked on 20 or so rounds of negotiations between Swiss and U.S. officials in recent months. He said the $150 billion on the table for Swiss investment into the U.S. is far more per Swiss person than other countries have committed. 'We will never be able to import the same amount of goods from them as they will be able to from us. Even if the Swiss drink bourbon every day and buy a Harley-Davidson the trade deficit is not going to change," Sahgal said. Some companies took immediate action. The Lucerne-based confectionery maker Confiserie Bachmann—known for its Schutzengeli, or handcrafted guardian-angel chocolate truffles—closed its online shop to U.S. customers to avoid the new levy. 'We will survive without the American market but it was a growing market for us," said Raphael Bachmann, the managing director of the more than 125-year old family business, whose father started selling to U.S. customers decades ago. 'Enjoyment normally knows no boundaries, but our guardian angels don't fly through walls of customs papers." The overall economic hit will depend on whether the rate is negotiated down, and whether pharmaceuticals, which are currently exempted, remain so. If the tariff were to remain in place, it would knock around 0.6% off the Swiss gross domestic product—and significantly more if the exemption on pharmaceutical goods is removed, Capital Economics wrote in a note to clients. It is precisely this uncertainty that has dogged Tettamanti's company for months. Tecnopinz has been exporting to the U.S. since the 1980s. But since Trump's second term, most of its American business is on ice. Robots in the Tecnopinz factory, which has been exporting to the U.S. since the 1980s but has paused much of its American business during Trump's second term. Walking around his facility, where wardrobe-sized machines and robotic arms shape, mill and grind pieces of steel, aluminum and titanium into polished industrial clamps and other components, Tettamanti lamented the 'loss of trust" that Trump's trade policies are causing. 'I have American customers that have bought from us for years and are now saying, 'Nicola, we need to put it on hold, we need clarity on tariffs,'" Tettamanti said. 'Well, the clarity we just got is a slap in the face." For some in Switzerland, the country's usually close relationship with the U.S. is now under question. 'We're a small country, we can't pressure the U.S.," said Karl Gschwend, a pensioner living in Zurich who used to work as an electrical engineer and had U.S. customers. 'Now I wouldn't want to work with Americans if I had to. Well, maybe in three and a half years when Trump is gone." Write to Georgi Kantchev at Chelsey Dulaney at and Margot Patrick at
The Print
an hour ago
- The Print
Centre considers dramatic MRP overhaul to limit ‘irrational pricing'. What it'd mean for buyers, sellers
Remember rushing to the grocery store and checking the MRP labels before adding items to your cart? Consumers often refuse to pay the street vendors extra charges such as the 'cooling fee', considering that printed MRP is a government-mandated, fixed price that sellers must respect. Yet, rarely examined is how this price is determined. More importantly, why do identical products across brands carry varying MRPs? These questions have led New Delhi policy circles to rethink whether the MRP system is the best choice for consumers and retailers. Not a bureaucratic change, the overhaul will be addressing the chronic complaints of excess pricing, as well as misleading discounts, leaving consumers short-changed. New Delhi: From a package of biscuits to a bottle of shampoo in crowded shopping aisles—all bear that ubiquitous MRP tag, but change is in the offing. The Narendra Modi-led government is considering a dramatic overhaul of the Maximum Retail Price (MRP) regime, which has been a bulwark of consumer protection since the 1990s. At its core, the maximum retail price is the highest price at which a seller can sell a packaged product to consumers in India. It is not a suggestion; it is a legal cap, inclusive of all taxes; printed, right on the packaging. It is illegal for retailers to undercut the cap in a competitive market and illegal to charge even an additional Re 1. The MRP system avoided arbitrariness, ensuring transparency in prices where bargaining is not always doable, such as new retail environments. The root of this pricing system goes back to 1990, when amendments to the Standards of Weights and Measures Act, 1976, introduced the MRP. India, then poised for economic liberalisation, still had spotty consumer protections. The intention behind MRP was to protect consumers against exploitative tactics, such as retailers raising prices of a commodity during shortages. It developed from previous attempts in the 1970s to prevent tax evasions and extortionate local charges. By 2011, the Legal Metrology (Packaged Commodities) Rules legalised MRP, making it compulsory on all pre-packaged products, thereby eliminating dual pricing or preventing sellers from printing different prices on them. Legally, MRP, which falls under the Legal Metrology Act, 2009, is administered by the Department of Consumer Affairs. Violations result in fines or penalties imposed by organisations, such as the Central Consumer Protection Authority. The MRP system—a one-of-a-kind pricing system adopted by India, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka, among other countries—is different from the recommended retail prices prevalent in the United States and Europe, among other nations, where market forces allow greater freedom. Jump to 2025, the Union Ministry of Consumer Affairs is leading what may become the most far-reaching MRP overhaul ever. In a crucial meeting with trade bodies, including the Confederation of Indian Industry, consumer associations, and tax authorities, earlier this year, in May, the Centre mulled over new frameworks. The new proposal? Tie MRP closer to real production and marketing expenditure, particularly in the case of essentials and daily items, and that may require fixing 'standard costs' after consultations with stakeholders, and possibly, amending the Legal Metrology Act, or the new GST regulations. The government is currently attempting to introduce a formula that will limit 'irrational pricing' to create the illusion among customers that they are saving money. The revamp may include transparency interventions, such as compulsory cost segregation, or maybe product QR codes that enable consumers to scan the code to confirm pricing rationale. Talks on adopting a Suggested Retail Price (SRP) model, as in Western economies, are also ongoing. Under the SRP, retailers may have room to negotiate local costs, such as transport in hinterlands. These contemplations are not occurring in a vacuum but are part of a larger consumer protection push, including anti-profiteering under GST and attempts to rationalise prices with digital platforms. Up to July 2025, however, no announcement of any final decision had been made. But why this shift, now? The consumer retail business has been booming in India. Online titans and hypermarkets are driving this boom while causing price distortions. Manufacturers tend to overprice MRPs to allow flashy discounts, tricking consumers into believing they are snagging a bargain. Consider a plain juice sachet, say one priced at Rs 50 and another at Rs 150, without any apparent logic, though the contents are the same. This lack of transparency kills trust and stokes perceptions of profiteering, particularly in the backdrop of post-pandemic inflation. Another example of exorbitant pricing is overpricing in tourist spots or rural areas with limited competition. Wider economic changes are at play there. Considering the growth rate (six to seven percent) in India, the government is looking to create a more equitable market, enhancing consumption without suppressing any invention. Along with the worldwide trend of nations, such as the US, depending on antitrust regulations to cap cartels, India is also viewing the reforms in MRP as a means to modernise and safeguard poor consumers in an economy that remains uneven. The crossroads: Pros and cons If implemented successfully, the overhaul of MRP could be a game-changer. Tying the maximum retail price of a product to its expenses could potentially lead to a decrease in the effective rates of necessities and lower household bills. A consumer could easily identify pricing scams on a soap packet if they could scan a QR code and see the cost breakdown. For instance, MRP may be production costs (40%), taxes (20%), and profit margin (40%). It would prevent tax evasions, as well as harmonise the MRP with GST, and prevent the concealment of profits in inflated MRPs. For companies, more defined norms may lead to honest pricing, increased competition, and more innovations. It will be a move in the direction of fairness, particularly in rural India, where MRP is the sole price reference in the absence of bargaining power, Consumer lobbies say. On the whole, it could also increase economic efficiency; research has indicated equivalent reforms in fuel subsidies insulated business growth from external shocks. But not all are smiling. Industry group voices, such as manufacturers and retailers, caution that inflexible cost-based MRPs could freeze out adaptability in a heterogeneous market. India extends from metropolitan malls to isolated villages, but requiring standard prices overlooks differential costs, such as higher transportation costs in hill stations. A move to SRP may result in price instability or cartels in low-competition areas, harming the very people it is supposed to protect. Speaking to ThePrint, Abhishek Rana, an advocate at the Supreme Court of India, said that the proposed law might take away the right of business owners to practise their kind of business. 'India, being a price-sensitive market, with hidden charges levied almost everywhere, a proposal aimed at regulating the method of calculating MRP or linking it to inherent production value, may be a welcome change. However, a challenge that the government may face will be to balance it with the right to business,' Rana added. Rana further pointed out the intangible factor of quality. One excuse that companies tend to use in their favour is the idea of brand quality and trust. Companies tend to promote their products as better compared to their rivals' by stating that the quality of the raw material used is superior. There may be some truth in it; it does allow a lot of 'puffery'. Throwing light on the same, Rana said, 'An argument of costs incurred due to the intangible parameter of an item'squality, production method, or even method of sourcing its raw materials can be difficult to regulate with guidelines, more so for luxury goods. How the government overcomes these probable issues remains to be seen. A suggested or recommended retail price, as adopted by various countries, might be a consideration.' While the revamp may seem ambitious, it may be of interest to small firms that remain concerned over compliance costs. Estimating and rationalising each MRP may increase administrative expenses, which the firms could transfer to consumers. Critics highlight that the MRP's dysfunction stems from weak enforcement, not the system itself; overhauling it risks unintended hikes if guidelines are too prescriptive. There is also the risk of dampening e-commerce dynamism, where personalised pricing drives sales. In a price-conscious country, any perceived hike can trigger anger, reminiscent of earlier milk street vendor boycotts over MRP issues. Transparency is commendable, but over-regulation, as in other reforming economies, may stifle India's free-market ambitions. (Edited by Madhurita Goswami) Also Read: ̌BJP MPs go full throttle against Trump even as govt hails enduring India-US ties amid tariff tension
