Made in Maharashtra, Flying Global: Falcon 2000s to Soar from Nagpur

Image Source: Business Standard

In a milestone moment for India's space ambitions, Indian firm Reliance Aerostructure Ltd (RAL) and French aviation giant Dassault Aviation entered into a strategic partnership to manufacture Falcon 2000 business aircraft in India. The announcement was made at the Paris Air Show, and for the first time, the aircraft is being manufactured outside France by Dassault.

Key Highlights:

- A full-fledged final assembly line for Falcon 2000 aircraft will be set up at Nagpur's MIHAN and India will be the fifth country in the world to be manufacturing world-class business aircraft.
- The joint venture firm, Dassault Reliance Aerospace Ltd (DRAL), will also be the first Centre of Excellence (CoE) for Falcon jets outside France, for the 6X and 8X series.
- Dassault to move entire fuselage and wing assembly activities to India, with the first "Made in India" Falcon 2000 flying by 2028.
- DRAL has been manufacturing over 100 major sub-sections of Falcon 2000 aircraft since 2019, which proves its precision manufacturing capability.
- The project will generate hundreds of high-tech employment opportunities and significantly enhance India's contribution to the global aerospace value chain.
- The move is in accordance with the 'Make in India' and 'Atmanirbhar Bharat' programs, and India will become a strategic aerospace production center.

Prospects:

This partnership not only contributes to India's aerospace reputation but also marks a shift in the world's manufacturing trends. With growing demand for business jets in Asia and other parts of the world, Nagpur might soon feature on the map as a global aviation giant.

Sources: The Hindu, Business Standard, Dassault Aviation Press Release