Latest news with #Rafale-Marine
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Business Standard
5 days ago
- Business
- Business Standard
In a first, Rafale fuselage to be made in India under Tata-Dassault tie-up
In a first, the fuselage of the Rafale combat aircraft will be manufactured in India — for both domestic and global markets — after France's Dassault Aviation and Indian private sector defence major Tata Advanced Systems Limited (TASL) announced on Thursday the signing of four Production Transfer Agreements for the manufacture of key structural sections of the Rafale at a production facility TASL will set up in Hyderabad, Telangana. Describing the agreements as a significant step forward in strengthening India's aerospace manufacturing capabilities and supporting global supply chains, an official release by the two companies said, 'Under the scope of the partnership, TASL will set up a cutting-edge production facility in Hyderabad for the manufacture of key structural sections of the Rafale, including the lateral shells of the rear fuselage, the complete rear section, the central fuselage, and the front section.' Terming the production of the complete Rafale fuselage in India a strong sign of deepening trust in TASL's capabilities and the strength of its collaboration with Dassault, TASL CEO and Managing Director Sukaran Singh added, 'It also reflects the remarkable progress India has made in establishing a modern, robust aerospace manufacturing ecosystem that can support global platforms.' In April, in the country's largest-ever fighter jet acquisition, India signed an inter-governmental agreement (IGA) worth around Rs 64,000 crore with France to procure 26 Rafale-Marine combat aircraft to bolster the Indian Navy's firepower. The agreement includes transfer of technology for integrating indigenous weapons onto the Rafale-Marine jets in India. It also provides for setting up a production facility for their fuselage, along with maintenance, repair, and overhaul facilities for aircraft engines, sensors, and weapons in India. The Indian Air Force (IAF) had earlier acquired 36 Rafale jets under a Rs 60,000 crore IGA with France signed in September 2016. One industry insider, who did not wish to be named, underscored that this marked the continuation of a decade-long and accelerating trend of Indian private companies being integrated into the supply chains of global defence majors. 'Indian private companies already manufacture aerostructures for the latest variant of the Boeing F-15 and wings for the Lockheed Martin F-16. They also produce various components, including the rear fuselage and wings, of the indigenous Tejas combat aircraft family. But this latest development marks a more comprehensive integration into the supply chain of a cutting-edge foreign fighter,' said the source, adding, 'It will reinforce India's position as a trusted player in the global aerospace supply chain amid geopolitical turbulence and could open doors to larger contracts—both in complexity and value—from global firms.' Another industry insider agreed that it could bolster the fortunes of Indian defence and aerospace companies. 'You can build on this success, just as TASL did after setting up India's first private sector military aircraft assembly line. Other European countries have expressed interest in partnering with India's defence manufacturing ecosystem to secure their supply chains, and they will see this as another strong signal that India can be trusted for such a role,' said the second source. India's first private-sector military aircraft manufacturing facility was inaugurated in Vadodara, Gujarat, in October. The final assembly line, set up by TASL in collaboration with Airbus Spain, is producing the C295 tactical transport aircraft for the IAF. The first 16 are being delivered in fly-away condition by Airbus, while the remaining 40 are being manufactured and assembled by TASL under an industrial partnership. The agreements between Dassault and TASL also come amid a growing focus on boosting private sector participation in the production of indigenous combat aircraft, with the recently approved execution model for developing the prototype of the fifth-generation Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (Amca) offering equal opportunity to domestic public and private defence firms to compete in building the stealth jet — a move that could end Hindustan Aeronautics Limited's (HAL's) monopoly in fighter jet production.
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Business Standard
5 days ago
- Business
- Business Standard
Dassault and Tata to locally manufacture Rafale fuselages in Hyderabad
Dassault Aviation and Tata Advanced Systems Limited (TASL) have signed four Production Transfer Agreements to manufacture Rafale fighter jet fuselages in India for both domestic and international markets. This marks the first time that Rafale fuselages will be built outside France. The collaboration supports the Indian government's 'Make in India' initiative and aims to bolster self-reliance in the defence sector. A dedicated facility will be established in Hyderabad to produce key structural components, including the front section, central fuselage, rear section, and lateral shells. Production is expected to commence in the financial year 2028, with a capacity to deliver up to two complete fuselages per month. 'Decisive step' in deepening Indo-French defence ties 'This is a decisive step in strengthening our supply chain in India,' said Eric Trappier, Chairman and CEO of Dassault Aviation. 'With the expansion of our local partners, including TASL, this supply chain will contribute to the ramp-up of the Rafale and meet our quality and competitiveness requirements.' Sukaran Singh, CEO and MD of TASL, called the agreement a significant milestone in India's aerospace journey. 'The production of complete Rafale fuselages in India is a testament to the deepening trust between our companies and reflects India's progress in building a modern aerospace manufacturing ecosystem,' he said. India's Rafale programme and future procurements The Rafale is a twin-engine, multi-role fighter aircraft widely praised for its versatility and combat performance. It now serves as one of the Indian Air Force's (IAF) frontline assets. In 2016, India signed an agreement with France to acquire 36 Rafale jets from Dassault Aviation at a cost of approximately €7.87 billion. The jets have since been deployed to key airbases along India's western and eastern borders. That contract included offset obligations, under which Dassault and its partners were required to reinvest a portion of the deal's value in India. The new Hyderabad facility represents one of the most significant outcomes of those commitments. India has also signed a deal to procure 26 Rafale-Marine (Rafale-M) jets for the Indian Navy by mid-2028. Deliveries are expected to be completed by 2030. The deal, valued at ₹63,000 crore, includes weapons, simulators, training, and long-term logistical support.
The Hindu
03-05-2025
- Business
- The Hindu
Rafale-M once inducted, will ensure full fighter strength on both aircraft carriers
The Rafale-M fighter jets, 26 of which were contracted last week, once inducted from the second quarter of 2028 onwards, will enable the Indian Navy to field both its aircraft carriers with the full complement of their fighters. However, the jet as well as the flight deck of the carrier would need slight modifications for the Rafale-M to be able to fit on the lifts and for optimal performance. 'The lifts would need some modifications for the Rafale-M to fit in and as the Indian carriers use a ski-jump, the overall system would also need some changes,' a source said. On the aircraft, the wing pylons of Rafale need to be taken off, which takes a few minutes, before they can be moved on the lift, another source said. The lifts on board a carrier are used to move the jets and equipment between the hanger below and the flight deck above. The consolidation of the capital allocation in the defence budget done two years back, doing away with service-specific capital allocation, also came handy in prioritising the payments for the Rafale deal, that was earlier planned to be concluded in the previous fiscal. The delivery of these aircraft would begin in the second quarter of 2028 and be completed by the end of 2030, with the crew undergoing training in France and India. Inter-governmental deal On April 28, India and France concluded an Inter-Governmental Agreement for the procurement of 26 Rafale-Marine jets – 22 single-seater and four twin-seater — for the Indian Navy. The agreement includes training, simulator, associated equipment, weapons and performance-based logistics (PBL) for five years costing nearly ₹64,000 crore. The cost of the deal was not officially mentioned. The deal also includes additional equipment for the existing 36 Rafale fleet of the Indian Air Force, which, officials said, includes some support and maintenance equipment. Rafale-M would be capable of operating from both the carriers – INS Vikramaditya and INS Vikrant. The country's first indigenous carrier INS Vikrant, measuring 262 metres long and 62 metres wide, can operate an air wing of 30 aircraft comprising MiG-29K fighter jets and, in the future, Rafale-Ms, Kamov-31 early warning helicopters, MH-60R multi-role helicopters and indigenous Advanced Light Helicopters (ALH). Both the carriers use the STOBAR (short take-off but arrested recovery) method to launch and recover aircraft for which it is equipped with a ski- jump to launch aircraft, and three 'arrester wires' for their recovery. The Navy and Defence Ministry were keen to conclude the deal in the 2024-25 financial year. Funds were earmarked in the capital budget. However, as the deal got delayed it would have meant that unspent money would be returned to the Finance Ministry. Capital utilisation To avoid that and to optimise the capital utilisation, the Union government cleared and concluded another mega-deal that was in the pipeline but was to be concluded early fiscal year 2025-26: the deal for 156 Light Combat Helicopters (LCH) with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) at a cost of ₹62,700 deal was advanced and concluded on March 28, 2025. 'The doing away of the service-specific capital allocation has been beneficial in better managing the procurement cycles,' one of the sources cited above observed. The Rafale is a multi-role aircraft capable of undertaking air defence, escort, maritime strike, strike against shore targets, reconnaissance and buddy refuelling missions. The Navy had procured 45 MIG-29K jets from Russia along with INS Vikramaditya. Around 40 jets are available now but their serviceability rates have been not been up to the mark, which leaves a gap in fighter strength in case both carriers are deployed simultaneously. In the case of the IAF Rafales, the contract had stipulated that its manufacturer Dassault Aviation be part of the performance-based logistics to ensure 75% availability rate of the fleet. The Indian Navy aircraft carriers with its full complement of fighter aircraft have the ability to exercise sea control and strike enemy units at extended ranges while remaining well outside enemy weapon ranges, a Navy source observed, adding 'The Rafale will also effectively provide the Navy with an ability to effect operations on land through shore strikes.'
Time of India
01-05-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Rafale-M roars after Pahalgam: How India's French fighter deal could turn up the heat on Pakistan
India's recent agreement with France to acquire 26 Rafale-Marine aircraft has been described as a strategic move amid ongoing tensions with Pakistan. The timing of the deal—just days after the Pahalgam terror attack—has raised its symbolic and operational significance. #Pahalgam Terrorist Attack Nuclear Power! How India and Pakistan's arsenals stack up Does America have a plan to capture Pakistan's nuclear weapons? Airspace blockade: India plots a flight path to skip Pakistan "During such a time, when there is a lot of tension going on between India and Pakistan after the Pahalgam terror attack , the signing of this deal is going to mount pressure on Pakistan... In the coming days, whatever action India takes against Pakistan, Rafale will play a key role," defence analyst Sanjeev Srivastava told ANI. He added, "This deal will strengthen India's defence position against Pakistan, and it will keep pressure on them also... The aircraft will be operating from India's two aircraft carriers, which are expected to be delivered between 2028 and 2030. But this has happened amid tension and it will, without any doubt, keep the adversaries under pressure." 5 5 Next Stay Playback speed 1x Normal Back 0.25x 0.5x 1x Normal 1.5x 2x 5 5 / Skip Ads by India-France sign $7.5 billion naval Rafale deal The agreement was signed under an Intergovernmental Agreement (IGA) framework. It includes 22 single-seat Rafale M aircraft and four twin-seat Rafale D jets. The package also includes training modules, simulators, associated weapons, equipment, and a five-year performance-based logistics support system, according to statements from the Indian Ministry of Defence and the French Embassy in India. Present at the signing were France's Ambassador to India, Thierry Mathou, and India's Defence Secretary, Rajesh Kumar, along with senior officials and industry partners. This deal marks the first-ever export order for the naval version of the Rafale jet, manufactured by Dassault Aviation . Live Events Aerospace cooperation with a Make-in-India boost The Rafale M jets, expected to be delivered between 2028 and 2030, will fly from INS Vikrant and support the existing MiG-29K fleet. But the significance of this deal extends beyond new aircraft. It also includes critical clauses for indigenisation. "In line with the Government's thrust on Aatmanirbhar Bharat , the agreement includes Transfer of Technology for integration of indigenous weapons in India. It also includes setting up of production facilities for Rafale Fuselage as well as Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul facilities for aircraft engine, sensors, and weapons in India,' said the Ministry of Defence. The Transfer of Technology clause could enable integration of the Indian-made beyond visual range missile, Astra, onto the Rafale platform. Dassault has already begun building a Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) facility in Uttar Pradesh as part of its offset commitments for previous Rafale purchases. Why interoperability matters for the Navy and Air Force Dassault's Rafale-M won the bid over Boeing's F/A-18 Super Hornet, largely due to its operational compatibility with the Indian Air Force's (IAF) 36 Rafales, already stationed at Ambala and Hasimara. Both services—the IAF and the Navy—will now benefit from shared systems and logistics. This includes the "buddy-buddy" aerial refuelling system, which allows one aircraft to refuel another in flight. Such interoperability improves operational endurance and simplifies maintenance cycles. The IAF operates the Rafale C, and the Navy's Rafale M has a high degree of equipment and airframe commonality with it. This reduces the complexity of training and supply chains. Aiming for more than just aircraft This agreement could also set the stage for future Rafale orders. With its current fleet strength below the sanctioned 42 squadrons, the IAF is exploring options to expand its inventory while avoiding excessive diversification. The push to integrate indigenous weapons, like the Astra missile, requires access to the Rafale's source code—a point of negotiation with Dassault Aviation. Air Chief Marshal A.P. Singh has previously cited the British-origin Jaguar as a model, allowing India to regularly upgrade avionics and weapons thanks to licensed production. Replicating this model with the Rafale would support long-term self-reliance and modernisation. Lessons from Mirage: Why domestic production matters India's earlier acquisition of the Mirage 2000 jets highlights the importance of local manufacturing. Between 1982 and 1985, the IAF purchased 51 Mirage jets in flyaway condition. Over the years, spare parts and upgrades became a challenge. India had to procure second-hand jets to cannibalise for spares. Even after a costly upgrade deal with Thales in 2011, the mid-life overhaul of the Mirage fleet has been slow. In contrast, the licensed manufacturing of Jaguars and Su-30 MKIs allowed India's Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) to maintain and upgrade them locally, ensuring longer operational relevance. The Rafale deal now seeks to follow this path. This contract not only equips India's Navy with state-of-the-art jets, but also builds infrastructure for long-term support. The MRO facility in India will also handle depot-level maintenance of the M88 engine—the first such facility outside France. Overhaul of MICA missiles is also planned under this framework. By linking strategic deterrence with domestic capability building, the Rafale-M deal signals more than a weapons purchase. It reflects a broader shift in India's defence policy—towards resilience, preparedness, and industrial self-reliance. Manufactured by Dassault Aviation, the Rafale M is a proven carrier-based combat aircraft. Deliveries of the Rafale M jets are expected to begin in 2028 and are anticipated to be completed by 2030. The Rafale M jets will operate from INS Vikrant and support the existing Mig-29 K fleet. The Indian Air Force already operates a fleet of 36 Rafale aircraft acquired under a separate deal signed in 2016. These aircraft are based at Ambala and Hasimara. The new deal will raise the total number of Rafale jets in India to 62, significantly boosting the country's fleet of 4.5-generation fighter aircraft.
Time of India
29-04-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Rafale effect
Rafale Marine fighter jets Hindustan Aeronautics Limited Dassault Aviation Rs 63,000-crore deal: Government inks deal with France to purchase 26for the Indian Navy.9%: Defence stocks climb after strong rally on Monday 4.5%: Nifty Defence index rises Gainers 17 out of its 18 constituents were in the positive territory, with notable gains from companies such as Paras Defence and Space Technologies, Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers and Data Patterns (India)(HAL) saw a rise of over 5.5%, while Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders and Cochin Shipyard gained 4.77% and 6.1%, Electronics Limited (BEL) also experienced a notable increase by rising over 3.28% during the 26 Rafale-Marine jets for the Navy, manufactured byof France, are expected to be delivered within 37 to 65 months. The delivery of all the planes is scheduled to be completed by Rafale procurement will include weapons, simulators, spares, associated ancillary equipment, crew training and logistics support for the Indian Navy from the French government. Besides, it includes indigenous manufacturing of components under offset obligations as part of the 'Atmanirbhar Bharat' fighter jets will be deployed on aircraft carriers INS Vikrant and INS Vikramaditya, strengthening the Navy's capability to counter threats in the Indian Ocean.
