Dassault Falcon construction to take off in India

opinion

by Alasdair Whyte

June 24, 2025

Any 10-year-old child will tell you that test pilots are inherently cool. Dassault test pilots get the double whammy of being able to fly Rafale fighter jets in the morning and then Falcon business jets in the afternoon. The manufacturer says that this link gives its products an engineering advantage.

It can also be a commercial one. Last week Dassault Aviation announced it will start building Falcon 2000LXS business jets in India.

The aircraft will be built as part of Dassault’s joint venture with the family-owned Reliance conglomerate. They are aiming to have the first Indian-built Falcon 2000LXS by 2028.

The French manufacturer and Reliance have been working together since 2017. Dassault Reliance Aerostructure Limited (DRAL) has already assembled more than 100 subsections for Falcon 2000s in Nagpur, Maharashtra, in the centre of India. It will now start full fuselage and wing assembly for the Falcon 2000LXS. The Nagpur facility will also start putting together the front section of Falcon 8Xs and Falcon 6Xs.

This is a big announcement. It is the first time that Dassault has moved Falcon production outside of France. India is a growing supplier of aerospace components (Airbus, for example, has two large facilities) and is a growing business jet market, but Rafale fighter jets are driving this deal.

Dassault has been selling military aircraft to India for more than 70 years. The Indian Air Force has a fleet of 36 Rafales. In April, the Indian Navy ordered a further 26 for more than $7.5bn.

Narendra Modi, India’s prime minister, has two landmark policies, “Self-Reliant India” and “Make in India for the World”. These are designed to make the country a high-tech manufacturing powerhouse.

“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,” said Éric Trappier, chairman and CEO, Dassault Aviation last week. “It is a testament to our unwavering belief in our future in India and serving India.”

Anil Ambani, chairman, Reliance Group said: “Our partnership with Dassault Aviation for manufacturing of Falcon business jets in India is a defining moment for the country, aviation industry and the Reliance Group. This will help position India as a key force in the global aerospace value chain.”

A few weeks ago, Dassault announced that it would start building Rafale fuselages in India as part of a joint venture with Indian conglomerate Tata Group. This is the first time that Rafale fuselages are being made outside France. At the end of December 2024 Dassault had a backlog of 79 Falcons and a backlog of 220 Rafales (164 for international buyers and 56 for the French armed forces).

Although driven by defence, the announcement raises the profile of business jets in India. This should help all OEMs. “Indian buyers are very discerning buyers so I don’t think that this will kickstart aircraft sales just because they are made in India rather than the US, Canada or France,” says Rohit Kapur, managing partner, The Jet Company.

It could also inspire a new generation of 10-year-olds to want Aviator sunglasses.