IN A big boost to Multi Modal International Cargo Hub and Airport at Nagpur (MIHAN), Reliance Aerostructure Limited (RAL) has announced tie-up with Dassault Aviation for manufacturing Falcon 2000 business executive jets. The announcement was made by Anil Ambani during the Paris Air Show on Wednesday. Dassault Aviation as per agreement will transfer the assembly of the front section of Falcon 8X and Falcon 6X, in addition to the wings and complete fuselage assembly of Falcon 2000 to Dassault Reliance Aerospace Limited (DRAL). The transfer of assembly operations combined with major facility upgrades, will pave the way for the first flight of Falcon 2000 ‘Made in India’ from Indian soil by 2028. From city’s point of view and Vidarbha in general, the development is going to have positive impact on the development goals as state-of-the-art final assembly line for the jets is going to be established at over 180 acre land of RAL here.

 

The announcement is quite significant from point of view of Make in India thrust of Central Government and more so for Vidarbha as same will boost industrial development. DRAL, in days to come, will also become the Centre of Excellence (CoE) for Falcon series, including Falcon 6X and Falcon 8X assembly programmes for Dassault Aviation, the first such CoE outside France, which is quite significant tie-up and showcases deepening of strategic ties between India and France. RAL is a subsidiary of Reliance Infrastructure and at present the company’s facility in MIHAN is engaged in manufacture of Dassault fighter plane’s engines.

 

In fact, the announcement holds quite significance as Dassault Aviation signals its intention to first time shift its manufacturing capability for Falcon 2000 jets outside of France. So as time will move on, the deepening of manufacturing capabilities will put India on aero business map of world, as these jets will bring in high-end business capabilities to country. A release from Reliance Infra and Dassault Aviation said the announcement of setting up manufacturing hub for Falcon 2000 jets marks a historic moment for Indian aerospace and manufacturing industry. The landmark agreement paves way for India’s entry into the elite club of countries producing next-generation business jets, alongside the United States, France, Canada, and Brazil. It may be noted that Anil Ambani, Founder Chairman, Reliance Group and Eric Trappier, Chairman and CEO, Dassault Aviation, informs a company release, have held extensive talks on expanding their ties. The partnership represents a significant step in advancing India’s aerospace manufacturing capabilities, underscoring the nation’s growing prominence in the global aerospace ecosystem.

 

The new final assembly line will cater to rising demand in Indian and international markets. Falcon business jets have established a strong presence in India’s corporate and charter aviation segment, earning the trust of esteemed customers who valued aircraft’s exceptional performance, comfort, and operational efficiency. The joint venture between Dassault Aviation and Reliance Aerostructure (DRAL) was established in 2017. The operations commenced with the setting up of a state-of-the-art manufacturing facility at MIHAN, later that year. Since delivering its first Falcon 2000 front section in 2019, DRAL has assembled over 100 major sub-sections for the Falcon 2000, underscoring its worldclass precision manufacturing capabilities and playing an integral role in Falcon global production programme. DRAL is expected to recruit several hundred engineers and technicians over the next decade to support its expanding operations. This growth underscores Dassault Aviation’s deep commitment to strengthening India’s aerospace manufacturing ecosystem and advancing the nation’s emergence as a global center of excellence for high-precision aviation production.

 

 

CHIEF Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Union Minister Nitin Gadkari have hailed the announcement of joint venture between Reliance Aerospace Ltd and Dassault Aviation Limited to manufacture Falcon 2000 jets in MIHAN, saying same would speed up development of the region. Welcoming the signing of MoU between two companies on sidelines of Paris Air Show, Fadnavis said the start of manufacturing hub in city would create jobs for local youth in the region. Fadnavis further said, post start of manufacturing of Falcon 2000 jets in country, it will fulfil the Make in India initiative of Central Government. Similarly given the great market for Dassault’s planes, the MIHAN facility will be a game changers not only for country defence capabilities but also export of fighter planes. At the same time, Union Minister Nitin Gadkari said, the start of manufacturing of Falcon jets here will create high paying jobs. “The alliance of Dassault and Reliance will provide a massive boost to the development of Nagpur and Vidarbha in general. The city already boasts of excellent educational institutes and the aircraft manufacturing facility can get technical manpower for the plant," he added.