Dassault Aviation has announced a partnership with Reliance Infrastructure’s subsidiary, Reliance Aerostructure Limited (RAL), to manufacture Falcon 2000 business jets in India. The final assembly line will be set up in Nagpur, Maharashtra, and the first Falcon 2000 jet assembled in India is expected to be delivered by 2028. The aircraft will be produced for corporate and military use in both Indian and international markets.
This is the first time Dassault Aviation will manufacture Falcon 2000 jets outside France. The collaboration is part of the companies’ plan to establish Dassault Reliance Aerospace Limited (DRAL) as a center of excellence for the Falcon aircraft series, including the Falcon 6X and Falcon 8X assembly programs. Dassault will also transfer assembly of the front section of Falcon 8X and Falcon 6X, as well as the wings and complete fuselage assembly of Falcon 2000, to DRAL.
“This new agreement, which will make DRAL the first centre of excellence for Falcon assembly outside France and which will eventually enable the establishment of a final assembly line for the Falcon 2000, illustrates, once again, our firm intent to meet our ‘Make in India’ commitments, and to contribute to the recognition of India as a major partner in the global aerospace supply chain. It marks the ramp-up of DRAL, in line with the strategic vision shared with our partner Reliance, which led to its creation in 2017 and is a testament to our unwavering belief in our future in India and serving India.” said Eric Trappier, Chairman and CEO of Dassault Aviation.
“Our partnership with Dassault Aviation represents a landmark in Reliance Group’s journey, as we work together to firmly position India as a vital hub in the global aerospace value chain,” said Anil D. Ambani, Founder Chairman of Reliance Group.
Dassault Aviation and Reliance plan to expand DRAL’s operations, which may lead to the recruitment of several hundred engineers and technicians over the next decade. Since its establishment in 2017, DRAL has produced over 100 major sub-sections for the Falcon 2000.
Dassault Aviation, headquartered in France, designs, produces, sells, and supports military and civil aircraft, including the Rafale fighter and Falcon business jets. The company reported revenues of EUR 6.2 billion in 2024 and employs approximately 14,600 people.
Reliance Group operates through companies such as Reliance Infrastructure Limited and Reliance Power Limited. Its businesses include power distribution in Delhi, thermal power generation, defence manufacturing, and infrastructure development projects like the Mumbai Metro. The group’s combined net worth and annual turnover are each reported at INR 330 billion, with a market capitalization of approximately INR 450 billion.