In a significant boost to India’s aerospace manufacturing sector, Reliance Infrastructure has announced a strategic partnership with French aviation major Dassault Aviation to manufacture Falcon 2000 business jets in India. This marks the first time these high-end business jets will be produced outside France, underscoring India’s growing role in the global aerospace value chain.
The jets will be assembled at the MIHAN SEZ facility in Nagpur, Maharashtra, through Reliance Aerostructure Limited, a wholly owned subsidiary of Reliance Infrastructure. The facility, which has been operational since the inception of the Dassault Reliance Aviation Limited (DRAL) joint venture in 2017, has already been involved in assembling major sub-sections of Falcon 2000 jets.
The expanded partnership will see Reliance assembling complete Falcon 2000 jets and undertaking the front fuselage assembly for Dassault’s larger Falcon 8X and Falcon 6X aircraft. As part of the agreement, the Nagpur facility will be designated as the Centre of Excellence for the entire Falcon jet series, the first such designation for any site outside France.
“This partnership represents a major milestone in Reliance Group’s journey,” said Anil Ambani, Chairman of Reliance Group. “Together with Dassault Aviation, we are working to position India as a key hub in the global aerospace manufacturing ecosystem. It is a proud moment that reflects the potential of India’s industrial capabilities.”
Eric Trappier, Chairman and CEO of Dassault Aviation, said the agreement reflects Dassault’s long-term commitment to the Indian market and the ‘Make in India’ initiative. “Making DRAL the first Centre of Excellence for Falcon aircraft outside France and setting up a final assembly line in India is a clear demonstration of our intent. It also confirms India’s emergence as a significant partner in the global aerospace supply chain,” he said.
The DRAL joint venture has made notable progress since its formation. Its first major milestone came in 2019 with the delivery of the front fuselage section of a Falcon 2000 jet. Since then, the facility has delivered over 100 major sub-assemblies for the Falcon series, contributing consistently to Dassault’s global production lines.
With this expansion, India joins an elite group of nations, including the United States, France, Canada, and Brazil with capabilities to manufacture advanced business jets. The move is expected to generate significant employment, boost the local supply chain, and enhance skill development in the aerospace sector.
The collaboration is also viewed as a strategic alignment with India’s ambition to become a major player in high-precision, high-technology manufacturing. It is expected to attract additional investments and create opportunities for small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in India’s defence and aerospace ecosystem.
The decision to locate the expanded Falcon production in Nagpur is seen as a nod to the region’s growing importance in India’s industrial map, particularly in the defence and aerospace sectors. The MIHAN Special Economic Zone (SEZ), where the DRAL facility is located, has been developed as an integrated industrial hub with world-class infrastructure.
This latest development solidifies the long-standing relationship between Reliance Infrastructure and Dassault Aviation, best known globally for their collaboration on the Rafale fighter jet deal for the Indian Air Force. It also reinforces the growing trend of global aerospace companies increasingly turning to India not just as a market, but as a trusted manufacturing partner.
