Dassault Aviation is evaluating the establishment of an assembly line in India to produce the Rafale F5 variant, according to CEO Eric Trappier in a report by L’USINENOUVELLE. The company anticipates potential orders from the Indian government, aligning with localization requirements under the Make in India initiative.
The Rafale F5 is expected to feature enhanced engines, improved survivability, upgraded data links, and an unmanned combat aerial vehicle (UCAV) weighing over 10 tons. Dassault is awaiting a contract from the French government for the aircraft’s development, with operational deployment targeted for 2030.
The aircraft will also include scramjet-operated hypersonic missiles and capabilities for nuclear mission connectivity. Additional upgrades in radar, sensors, and countermeasures are planned. Dassault currently has a backlog of Rafale orders, including 56 for the French Air Force and 164 for export customers such as Indonesia, Serbia, and the United Arab Emirates.
India has previously acquired 36 Rafale jets, with discussions ongoing for additional procurement. The proposed assembly line in India is part of Dassault’s broader production strategy to meet demand.