India is poised to enter the elite circle of aerospace manufacturers with plans to assemble the Falcon 2000 LXS business jet domestically through a joint venture between France’s Dassault Aviation and Reliance Aerostructure Limited (RAL)—a subsidiary of Reliance Infrastructure led by Anil Ambani. The announcement, made at the Paris Air Show on June 18–19, 2025, confirms final approval and financial closure for the project
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A Global First for Dassault
The new Nagpur–based facility under Dassault Reliance Aerospace Limited (DRAL) will mark the first-ever full-scale final assembly line (FAL) for the Falcon series outside France avitrader.com+15dassault-aviation.com+15timesofindia.indiatimes.com+15. Previously, the DRAL plant—established in 2017 at MIHAN SEZ—has manufactured nose cones and front fuselage components for Falcon and Rafale aircraft. Over 100 sub-components have already been produced, including the first Falcon 2000 front section delivered in 2019
Why Nagpur?
- Strategic expansion: DRAL has operated in Nagpur since 2017, gradually scaling up with highly skilled labor.
- Centre of Excellence: The plant will serve as the first Falcon assembly CoE outside France, not just for Falcon 2000 LXS but also Falcon 6X and 8X variants
- Scale-up plans: Employment is expected to grow from 300 to 1,000 by the end of the decade, with capacity for up to 22 jets per year—subject to demand
Timelines and Market Ambitions
- First made-in-India jet: The inaugural Falcon 2000 LXS flight from Nagpur is scheduled for 2028
- Global and military reach: While intended primarily for the corporate segment, the jets may also cater to potential military orders avitrader.com+4reuters.com+4timesofindia.indiatimes.com+4.
- Exports on the horizon: The venture aligns with India’s strategy of integrating deeper into global aerospace value chains, supporting “Make in India for the World” objectives
Economic Ripple Effects
- Stock surge: Reliance Infrastructure shares jumped between 4–5% following the announcement on the BSE, reflecting investor optimism
- Broader industrial impact: The expansion is expected to boost downstream aerospace suppliers, engineering talent pools, and local infrastructure development.
Strategic Implications
- Reducing defense imports: India remains one of the world’s largest defense importers. This move is a push toward self-reliance, especially under Prime Minister Modi’s “Atmanirbhar Bharat” initiative
- Prestige in aerospace: India joins a select group—alongside the US, France, Canada, and Brazil—as a country manufacturing advanced business jets
- Upskilling workforce: Transition from component suppliers to full assembly will significantly enhance local technical capacity in aerostructure and avionics integration sectors.
Challenges & Outlook
- Timetable risks: The COVID‑19 pandemic delayed execution timelines, but current financial backing and government support should help the project stay on track
- Order volume: The plant’s full potential—up to 22 jets annually—relies on securing both domestic and international orders.
- Operational ramp-up: Scaling workforce and maintaining international quality standards will be crucial for timely deliverables.
Conclusion
India’s upcoming Nagpur assembly line for the Falcon 2000 LXS—slated for its first flight in 2028—marks a historic milestone. It cements India’s rising prominence in the global aerospace sector, reduces dependency on imports, and supports high‑tech job creation and exports. While ambitious targets lie ahead, the foundation is firmly laid, with strong industry backing, national policy alignment, and international collaboration.
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