Nagpur could soon become the heart of India’s fighter jet production. In a landmark proposal that could reshape India’s aerospace and defence sector, French aviation giant Dassault Aviation has offered to manufacture its Rafale fighter jets entirely in India, with final assembly planned at MIHAN, Nagpur.
The Dassault Reliance Aerospace Limited (DRAL) facility in Nagpur’s MIHAN Special Economic Zone is set to take centre stage. Currently producing components like wings and fuselage sections, DRAL would scale up to deliver complete Rafale fighter jets from Nagpur itself, at the rate of two aircraft per month. If approved, this would mark the first time Rafale jets are fully assembled outside France.
This strategic move comes at a crucial time for the Indian Air Force (IAF), which is operating with just 31 fighter squadrons, well short of the sanctioned 42 needed to counter two-front threats. Accelerating production from Nagpur could help bridge this capability gap while fast-tracking the long-pending tender for 114 fighter aircraft.
Jobs and Industry Boost for Vidarbha
If the proposal goes through, Nagpur will not only deliver Rafales for the IAF and Navy but also service international orders such as Indonesia’s 42-jet deal. This would transform MIHAN into a global hub for aerospace exports, creating thousands of high-skill jobs for engineers, technicians, and allied industries in Vidarbha.
National Framework, Local Impact
While Hyderabad will host fuselage production through Tata Advanced Systems Limited and Safran will set up M-88 engine assembly and MRO units, Nagpur remains the anchor of Dassault’s ‘Make in India’ ecosystem. By localising 60% of the aircraft’s value, the project promises to reduce costs by up to 30% and boost India’s defence export potential.
Future-Ready Rafales from Nagpur
The jets to be rolled out from MIHAN will be of the advanced Rafale F4 standard, equipped with upgraded radar, electronic warfare systems, and the option for future manned-unmanned teaming with drones. Dassault has also committed to future-proofing with provisions for a next-gen engine being co-developed with India’s GTRE.
Nagpur on the Global Map
If approved by the Defence Procurement Board, production could begin within three years, with a goal to deliver all 114 jets in under six years—faster than Dassault’s French assembly lines. For Nagpur, this means a direct entry into the global aerospace map, positioning the city as the epicentre of India’s defence self-reliance drive.
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