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In a landmark move for India’s aerospace manufacturing sector, Dassault Aviation and Reliance Aerostructure Ltd (DRAL), a subsidiary of Reliance Infrastructure, announced a strategic partnership to manufacture Falcon 2000 business jets in India for global markets. The announcement was made at the ongoing Paris Air Show.
For the first time in its history, Dassault Aviation will shift the final assembly of its Falcon 2000 executive jet series outside France. The new state-of-the-art final assembly line will be set up in Nagpur, Maharashtra, with the first “Made-in-India” Falcon 2000 aircraft expected to take flight by 2028.
“This new agreement, which will make DRAL the first Centre of Excellence for Falcon assembly outside France, underlines our strong commitment to the ‘Make in India’ vision,” said Eric Trappier, Chairman and CEO of Dassault Aviation. “It also reflects our intention to position India as a key player in the global aerospace value chain.”
The partnership is rooted in the 2017 joint venture between Dassault Aviation and Reliance Aerostructure. The venture will now serve as the Centre of Excellence (CoE) for Dassault’s Falcon aircraft series, including the newer Falcon 6X and Falcon 8X programs.
The facility in Nagpur will handle the final assembly of the Falcon 2000, as well as the transfer of critical assemblies, including the front section of the Falcon 6X and 8X and the wings and fuselage of the Falcon 2000. Dassault will also upgrade its manufacturing infrastructure in India to support this expanded role.
“This partnership with Dassault Aviation marks a pivotal moment in Reliance Group’s aerospace journey,” said Anil D. Ambani, Chairman of the Reliance Group. “We are proud to contribute to making India a trusted global hub for advanced aerospace manufacturing.”
The new production line will cater to growing demand in both domestic and international markets, strengthening India’s position in high-value aerostructures and complex assemblies.
Reliance’s Nagpur facility has already delivered over 100 front-section assemblies – cockpit and structural components – for the Falcon 2000 jets since 2019, underscoring its capability in precision manufacturing. The expansion will further integrate the facility into Dassault’s global supply chain.
With this strategic shift, India is set to emerge as a key node in Dassault Aviation’s global production ecosystem, bringing high-end aerospace manufacturing closer to home while aligning with India’s broader ambitions for self-reliance and defence-industrial transformation.
Team BharatShakti
