Posted By Global Banking and Finance Review
Posted on June 18, 2025
(Reuters) -Reliance Infrastructure has partnered with France's Dassault Aviation to make Falcon 2000 jets in India, the companies said on Wednesday, as the South Asian country aims to increase sourcing of locally-made defense equipment.
Dassault said it aims to deliver the first made-in-India jets by 2028 for corporate and military use, and will cater to rising demand in both Indian and international markets.
India, the world's biggest arms importer, has been looking to step up domestic production, with global firms pushed to produce in India - either on their own or in collaboration with domestic partners.
New Delhi also aims to boost defence exports, which jumped 12% in the fiscal year to end-March, to $2.76 billion.
Dassault will make Falcon 2000 jets outside France for the first time, the statement said, as it partners with tycoon Anil Ambani-owned Reliance Aerostructure to set up the final assembly line in the western Indian city of Nagpur.
Reliance Infrastructure shares jumped 5% after the news in afternoon trading, while Dassault shares were largely flat.
Earlier in the month, the French firm signed an agreement with India's Tata group to produce fuselage of Rafale fighter aircraft in southern Hyderabad city - outside France for the first time ever.
(Reporting by Hritam Mukherjee in Bengaluru, additional reporting by Yadarisa Shabong; Editing by Eileen Soreng, Nivedita Bhattacharjee and Mrigank Dhaniwala)