Make-in-India Rafale fuselage: A strategic move forward

Rafale fuselage will be produced in India for both domestic and global markets. This marks the first time in history that Rafale fuselages will be manufactured outside France read more
In a big boost to Make-in-India, Dassault Aviation of France and India's Tata Advanced Systems Limited (TASL) will partner for Rafale aircraft fuselage manufacturing at a dedicated facility in Hyderabad. The key structural sections of the aircraft, to be manufactured in India include the central fuselage, rear section, lateral rear shells, and the front section. The first fuselage sections are expected to roll out by FY2028, with a production capacity of up to two complete fuselages per month.
STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD
Rafale fuselage will be produced in India for both domestic and global markets. This marks the first time in history that Rafale fuselages will be manufactured outside France. Four Production Transfer Agreements (PTA) have been signed between the companies. Eric Trappier, Chairman and CEO of Dassault Aviation, emphasised that this partnership is a 'decisive step in strengthening our supply chain in India,' noting that it aligns with the company's long-term strategy to collaborate with Indian aerospace firms like TASL.
Sukaran Singh, CEO and MD of TASL, described the partnership as a milestone in India's aerospace journey, demonstrating both India's manufacturing prowess and the trust international aerospace leaders place in Indian partners. 'The production of the complete Rafale fuselage in India underscores the deepening trust in Tata Advanced Systems' capabilities and the strength of our collaboration with Dassault Aviation. It also reflects the remarkable progress India has made in establishing a modern, robust aerospace manufacturing ecosystem that can support global platforms,' Singh said.
This facility will represent a significant investment in India's aerospace infrastructure and will serve as a critical hub for high-precision manufacturing.
The Indian Air Force (IAF) has already acquired 36 Rafale and they have demonstrated their combat skills in the recent Operation Sindoor. The Indian Navy is procuring 26 maritime variants of Rafale-M. The IAF's case for 114 Multi-Role Fighter Aircraft (MRFA) procurement is in an advanced stage. Rafale is one of the contenders. Will these two developments tilt the case in favour of Rafale?
IAF transition from Mirage 2000 to Rafale was like from one dream machine to another. In the initial training for test pilots, one is taught to assess an aircraft's characteristics by just looking at it. One look at the wing-body blending, the shape of the intakes, the twist in the wing, the incline of fuselage, the size of the vertical stabilizer, the base of the wheels, all indicate great design features. France has made some great aircraft.
STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD
Initial Aviation's French Connect
After WW-II, aviation designer Marcel Dassault re-established the aviation industry. The M.D.450 (Marcel Dassault) Ouragan was the first French-designed jet fighter-bomber to enter production. The Ouragan was later operated by France, Israel, India and El Salvador. In June 1953, India ordered 71 Ouragans (Toofani). Finally 104 were bought, and were operated by IAF till 1965. The IAF started to replace the Ouragan gradually by the Dassault Mystère IVA in 1957. India procured 104 'supersonic-in-a-dive' Mystere. The aircraft were used extensively in the Indo-Pakistani War of 1965. On 7 September 1965 an Indian Mystere, piloted by Squadron Leader Devayya shot down a Pakistani Lockheed F-104 Starfighter in a raid over Sargoda. Mystère IVs were also very successful in surface strikes. The aircraft were phased out by 1973.
Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), licence-built versions of French Aérospatiale SA 315B Lama (designated Cheetah) and Aérospatiale Alouette III (designated Chetak) in the mid-1960s. Indian Navy procured 14 French Bréguet Br.1050 Alizé in 1960 for carrier operations. French Turbomeca TM 333 2B2 engine powered initial HAL Dhruv, later replaced by the Shakti engine, which was jointly developed by HAL and Turbomeca. TM 333 2M2 powers HAL Cheetal and Chetan, upgraded versions of the Cheetah and Chetak, respectively.
STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD
India bought the Anglo-French SEPECAT Jaguar deep penetration strike aircraft (DPSA) in late 1970s, but the contract was serviced by the British. IAF built and upgraded many Jaguars and continues to fly significant numbers even today.
Finally, IAF bought the Mirage 2000 that was inducted in 1984. It was the first relaxed stability fly-by-wire aircraft with active controls technology to induct in IAF. It also brought a modern Air Interception (AI) radar with look-down/shoot-down capabilities, and the first BVR missile, the Super R530, Later the all-aspect Magic 2 missile changed the dynamics of close combat.
IAF also got the first comprehensive EW suite on any aircraft with a self-protection jammer, RWR, chaff and flare dispenser, an escort jammer and an Elint Pod. The aircraft was later upgraded to the Mirage 2000-5 Mk 2 standards, and extended its useful life for another 20–25 years. The upgrade included a new mission computer with higher memory, new radar, advanced navigation and electronic warfare systems, advanced communication and identification systems. It also has a new glass cockpit, and helmet-mounted displays.
STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD
Re-designated Mirage 2000I, aircraft also got the MICA air-to-air missiles. It can also carry the Israeli Spice-2000 glide bomb and the indigenous Astra AAM. Mirage 2000 performed exceedingly well in the 1999 Kargil conflict, which took place over some of the highest terrain in the world. Easy maintenance and a very high sortie rate made the Mirage 2000 one of the most efficient fighters of the IAF. Later Mirage was the chosen platform for the Balakot Strike, and took active part in Operation Sindoor.
Rafale, the Winner of MMRCA Competition
IAF needed additional medium multi-role combat aircraft (MMRCA). The aircraft in the fray for this Indian tender were Lockheed Martin F-16C/D, Mikoyan MiG-35, Saab JAS 39 Gripen, Dassault Rafale, Eurofighter Typhoon, and the Boeing F/A-18E/F Super Hornet.
The 126 aircraft were to fill the gap between the Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) and the in-service Sukhoi Su-30MKI air superiority fighter. On 27 April 2011, after an intensive and detailed technical evaluation by the IAF, two fighters, the Typhoon and Rafale, cleared technical evaluation. On 31 January 2012 it was announced that Rafale won the competition due to its lower life-cycle cost.
STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD
The Rafale Aircraft
The French twin-engine delta-wing fighter aircraft is an omni-role fighter with frontal-stealth capabilities. It can simultaneously undertake air supremacy, interdiction, reconnaissance, and the airborne nuclear deterrent missions. Rafale was inducted in the French Air Force and for carrier-based operations in the French Navy in 2000. Rafale has been used in combat over Afghanistan, Libya, Mali, Iraq, Syria, and in Operation Sindoor.
The aircraft uses digital fly-by-wire controls and has a very high level of agility. The aircraft's canards improve aerodynamic performance. The Rafale's glass cockpit was designed around the principle of data fusion that prioritises information display to pilots. The primary flight controls are arranged in a hands-on-throttle-and-stick (HOTAS)-compatible configuration.
The Rafale also features an advanced avionics suite. The passive front-sector electro-optical system can operate both in the visible and infrared wavelengths. The total value of the radar, electronic communications and self-protection equipment is about 30 percent of the cost of the entire aircraft. The Rafale features an integrated electronic survival system named SPECTRA, which protects the aircraft against airborne and ground threats.
STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD
The system incorporates radar warning receiver, laser-warning, Missile Approach Warning (MAW) for threat detection plus a phased array radar jammer and a decoy dispenser for threat countering. Areos all-weather, night-and-day-capable reconnaissance system used on the Rafale has the ability to transmit information such as images in real-time to ground stations. The RBE2 AA active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar has a range of 200 km.
The 36 aircraft, €7.87 billion (Rs 58,891 crore), Government-to-Government (G2G), Rafale deal included 28 single-seat, and eight twin-seat aircraft. The deal included tailor-made IAF specific enhancements including the integration of an Israeli helmet-mounted display (HMD), radar warning receivers and low-band jammers. It included a weapons package and a performance-based logistics agreement.
The aircraft's 14 hard-points can carry 9,500 kg external load. The air-to-air missiles include Matra Magic II, MBDA MICA IR or EM, and MBDA Meteor. Meteor is an active radar guided BVRAAM that offers multi-shot capability against long range manoeuvring jets, UAVs and cruise missiles in a heavy electronic countermeasures (ECM) environment with range of around 180 kilometres. The no-escape zone of over 60 km is the largest among air-to-air missiles according to the manufacturer.
STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD
India also procured SCALP air-to-ground cruise missiles. Subsequently, the HAMMER (highly agile modular munition extended range) glide bomb was bought. The Indian Rafale is a modified version of the F3R standard. The two squadrons are located at two different air bases. Both these airbases have infrastructure and capacity for an additional squadron each.
French has already tested the F4 variant with upgraded radar, improved HMDS, OSF (long-range optoelectronics system) will add IRST for detecting and identifying airborne stealth targets at long range. It will be more effective in network-centric warfare, with more data exchange and satellite communication capacity.
Make-in-India Rafale Win-Win for India, France
Indian Navy has just ordered 26 Rafale-M, French Air and Space Force and Navy have combined orders for 286. Other operators with confirmed orders are IAF (36) Croatia (12), Egypt (54), Qatar (36), UAE (50), Indonesia (42), and Serbia (12). More orders are on the way. The current production rate is 25 aircraft a year. It will take nearly 10 years to meet existing orders. France desperately needs another production line.Production in India will be for all global customers. India's capability to make global class aero-structures has been proven with cabins of Apache AH-64, Sikorsky S-92 helicopter and Lockheed Martin C-130J Super Hercules aircraft. India also makes Lockheed Martin F-16 wings. India makes the entire indigenous Light Combat Aircraft (LCA). Making the Rafale fuselage in India will work out much cheaper for France.
Induct 114 Rafale: Best Way Ahead
Traditionally India and France have been enjoying an exceptionally warm relationship, which is the fruit of deep affinities and the unwavering trust between the two countries since India's independence. France is considered as the most reliable Western 'friend'. France has never imposed any sanctions or tried to arm-twist India. IAF regularly carries out Garuda series of air exercises with the French Air Force since 2003. The latest 'Garuda VII' was held at Jodhpur in November 2022. French air and Space Force (FASF) also participated in IAF multilateral exercise 'Tarang Shakti' in August-September 24.
IAF is already down to 30 fighter squadrons' vis-à-vis the authorised 42. India has a two-front war threat. IAF urgently needs more fighter squadrons. The Request for Proposal (RfP) for 114 new 'Make-in-India' is still to be sent out. A full-fledged selection process could take 6-8 years. Rafale is a tried and tested aircraft. India has already paid for one time India specific enhancements. We have spare capacity at existing IAF Rafale bases to take more squadrons. There is 95 per cent commonality between the IAF and Navy Rafale.
Most recent aircraft deals have all been G2G. Rafale has already been a winner of a contest in which similar competing aircraft were involved. India already has a large variety of fighter fleets. Multiple fleets are a logistical nightmare. To save time, it would be prudent to acquire 114 Rafale 4.5 generation aircraft. Initially, India would mostly make the fuselage airframe. As we go along, more sub-parts and components will be manufactured. If India chooses to make 114 Rafale for IAF, the order numbers along with the Navy would go up to 140. India could thus insist on making the entire aircraft in India. India could also tie-up with France's Safran for India's fighter aero-engine development. It will make better economic sense for IAF also to choose Rafale and acquire the latest variant F4 in a G2G deal and make it in India in larger numbers to amortise costs.
The writer is former Director General, Centre for Air Power Studies. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect Firstpost's views.

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Learn with AIFact CheckingText to SpeechAI Summary

Related Articles

Time of India

29 minutes ago

• Time of India

Bullets, gunpowder gutted as fire hits Verna ammo company

Vasco: Bullets and gunpowder were gutted in a major fire that broke out at Hughes Precision Manufacturing Pvt Ltd, at IDC Verna early on Saturday. Verna fire station in charge Dilesh Gaonkar told TOI that the fire broke out around 4am, and the firefighters received a call from the headquarters about the accident around 4.10am. 'Live and spent bullets and gunpowder stored in one room of the company were destroyed by the flames,' Gaonkar said. 'Boxes containing ammunition turned to ashes, but luckily no casualties were reported.' He said that fire tenders were pressed into service from Verna, Vasco, Margao, and Panjim. 'According to the company's officials, CCTV cameras captured smoke coming out of the storage room,' Gaonkar said. 'The preliminary probe has suggested that a short circuit could be the reason for the massive fire.' Gaonkar said that the Verna fire station has asked the company to provide details on the materials gutted and the loss incurred in the fire. Sources said the loss could run into crores. The company supplies ammunition to the Indian defence forces. The fire tenders were deployed at the company site till late on Saturday. 'Although we succeeded in extinguishing the flames, we are monitoring the site,' Gaonkar said.

Time of India

44 minutes ago

• Time of India

I-T raid unearths gold smuggling and hawala transactions

Kozhikode: The Income Tax (I-T) department conducted searches at multiple premises of Seashell Savoury Group and Pulikkal Group in Kozhikode on Saturday allegedly revealing hawala transactions, reverse hawala, gold smuggling, unreported foreign investments, underreported land purchases in cash and other undisclosed financial activities. The I-T department said that the findings at multiple locations point to large-scale tax evasion and concealment of income and assets both in India and abroad. Search was conducted at the residential and business premises of Abdu Razakh Pulikkal, Rasheed Ali Pulikkal, Ahammed Kabeer Pulikkal. Details of foreign dividends received over the years were unearthed in the raid. "Clear evidence of the use of hawala channels to send money amassed abroad to India was uncovered. Undisclosed investments in several buildings, land, and illegal quarries/crushers were found," it said. Sales suppression over the years was quantified from the offices of Delicia Group. "Details of income from GCC region transferred to Indonesia for purchases were also uncovered," it said. Searches were also conducted at the residential premises of Hameed Narikolil, Kunhimoosa and their business premises. It says that the group has revenue from hotel businesses both in India and abroad. It operates more than 80 hotels in the GCC region, owned and managed by Indian residents but not disclosed for taxation in India.

First Post

an hour ago

• First Post

FATF links dual-use equipment seized by India to Pakistan's missile programme

A dual use equipment seized by India from a Pakistan bound merchant vessel in 2020 is linked to Islamabad's National Development Complex that is involved in the country's missile development programme, a new report by the Financial Action Task Force has said. read more India's 2020 seizure of Pakistan-bound dual-use equipment has been linked to Islamabad's missile development programme, according to a new report by the Financial Action Task Force (FATF). The equipment, intercepted from a merchant vessel is associated with Pakistan's National Development Complex, a key entity involved in the country's missile development. FATF, the global financial watchdog, referenced the case in its latest report, which outlines risks and vulnerabilities in the international financial and trade systems. The incident was cited under a section highlighting the misuse of the maritime and shipping sectors to move sensitive goods, including dual-use items that can be repurposed for weapons programmes. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD 'In 2020, Indian custom authorities seized an Asian-flagged ship bound for Pakistan. During an investigation, Indian authorities confirmed that documents mis-declared the shipment's dual-use items,' the FATF report said. 'Indian investigators certified the items for shipment to be 'Autoclaves', which are used for sensitive high energy materials and for insulation and chemical coating of missile motors,' the report said. It said these sensitive items are included in dual-use export control lists of the Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR). The bill of lading of the seized cargo provided evidence of the 'link between the importer and the National Development Complex, which is involved in the development of long-range ballistic missiles,' it said. The export of equipment such as the autoclaves without formal approval from various authorities is a violation of existing law, the FATF said. Pakistan's National Development Complex (NDC) has played a crucial role in the development of Pakistan's missile programme. India had seized the dual-use equipment from merchant vessel Da Cui Yun at Kandla port in Gujarat on February 3, 2020. The Indian customs authorities had stopped the vessel for wrongly declaring an autoclave, which can be used in construction of missiles, as an 'industrial dryer'. The report said that significant vulnerabilities remain across the global financial system in countering the financing of weapons of mass destruction (WMD). STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD 'Despite the grave threat posed by proliferation financing (PF), only 16 per cent of countries assessed by the FATF and its global network have demonstrated high or substantial effectiveness' in a process that evaluates the implementation of targeted financial sanctions under the United Nations Security Council resolutions on proliferation. The report said that unless the public and private sectors urgently bolster technical compliance and effectiveness, those seeking to finance WMD proliferation will continue to exploit weaknesses in existing controls. The report provided a detailed analysis of the evolving methods and techniques used to evade PF-related sanctions. 'Illicit actors are employing increasingly sophisticated methods to evade sanctions and circumvent export controls,' it said. With inputs from agencies