Dassault Aviation Takes Control of JV with Anil Ambani's Reliance, Eyes Falcon Jet Assembly in India

Dassault Aviation has acquired an additional 2% stake in its joint venture with Anil Ambani’s Reliance Infrastructure, officially becoming the majority owner of Dassault Reliance Aerospace Ltd (DRAL) with a 51% shareholding. This move marks a strategic pivot, giving the French aerospace giant full control over operations, guarantees, and global service commitments.

Key Highlights:

• Stake Transfer: Reliance Aerostructure Ltd (a Reliance Infra subsidiary) sold 2% equity to Dassault for ₹175.96 crore.
• Ownership Shift: Dassault now holds 51%, while Reliance retains 49%. DRAL transitions from a Reliance subsidiary to an associate company.
• Operational Impact: DRAL manufactures components for Rafale fighter jets and Falcon 2000 business jets. It’s now designated as Dassault’s Centre of Excellence for Falcon aircraft.
• Make in India Boost: Dassault plans to launch its first Falcon jet final assembly line outside France—in Nagpur—with a target for the first “Made in India” Falcon 2000 flight by 2028.
• Financial Snapshot: DRAL contributed ₹69.93 crore in turnover for FY25, about 0.23% of Reliance Infra’s consolidated revenue.

This move not only strengthens Dassault’s footprint in India but also signals deeper integration of Indian manufacturing into global aerospace supply chains. If you’d like, I can break down the implications for defense strategy, investor sentiment, or India’s aviation ecosystem.

Falcon Jet Assembly in Nagpur

Dassault Aviation, in partnership with Reliance Aerostructure, is setting up its first-ever final assembly line (FAL) for Falcon business jets outside France, located at the MIHAN SEZ in Nagpur. This marks a historic moment for India's aerospace ambitions.

Key Details:

• Jet Model: Falcon 2000 LXS, a top-tier business executive jet.
• Timeline: First “Made in India” Falcon 2000 expected to take flight by 2028.
• Facility Role: DRAL (Dassault Reliance Aerospace Ltd) will evolve from component manufacturing to full aircraft assembly.
• Variants Planned: Beyond Falcon 2000, the site may also handle Falcon 6X and 8X programs.
• Production Capacity: Estimated at up to 22 jets annually, depending on global demand.
• Workforce Expansion: Staff expected to grow from 300 to 1,000 employees as operations scale.

Strategic Significance:

• Global Supply Chain Integration: India joins an elite club alongside the US, France, Canada, and Brazil in producing next-gen business jets.
• Make in India Momentum: Aligns with India’s push for self-reliance in high-tech manufacturing.
• Export Potential: Jets assembled in Nagpur will serve both domestic and international markets.

What DRAL Already Does:

• Produces cockpit sections, nose cones, and other airframe parts for Falcon jets.
• Has delivered 100+ Falcon components globally since its inception in 2017.