France’s Dassault Aviation has announced a partnership with India’s Reliance Infrastructure to produce Falcon 2000 business jets in India—marking the first time these aircraft will be assembled outside of France.
The joint venture comes as part of India’s broader drive to boost domestic defence manufacturing and reduce reliance on foreign arms imports. The two companies confirmed on Wednesday that final assembly of the jets will take place in the western Indian city of Nagpur, with deliveries of the first made-in-India aircraft expected by 2028.
The Falcon 2000 jets are intended for both corporate and military use, and the partnership will cater to growing demand in India and international markets.
Strategic Shift Towards Local Production
India remains the world’s largest arms importer but has increasingly been pushing global defence firms to manufacture within the country.
The move is aligned with New Delhi’s “Make in India” initiative, which encourages foreign companies to partner with Indian firms or establish local production facilities.
Dassault’s collaboration with Reliance Aerostructure, owned by billionaire Anil Ambani’s Reliance Infrastructure, is seen as a significant milestone in that effort.
Shares in Reliance Infrastructure rose by 5% following the announcement, signalling market optimism around the partnership. Dassault shares were little changed in Wednesday trading.
Boost for Defence Exports
India is not only seeking to reduce its dependence on imported defence systems but also to ramp up its exports. In the financial year ending March 2025, Indian defence exports rose by 12%, reaching $2.76 billion.
Earlier this month, Dassault also signed a deal with India’s Tata Group to manufacture fuselages for its Rafale fighter jets in the southern city of Hyderabad—another first for production outside France.
The latest move to build Falcon 2000 jets in India reinforces Dassault’s growing footprint in the region and highlights India’s increasing role in the global aerospace supply chain.