Latest news with #DassaultRafale
Mint
11-07-2025
- Business
- Mint
Anil Ambani's Reliance Infra sets eyes on global aerospace with a ₹10,000-cr purse and India's first commercial aircraft
Anil Ambani's Reliance Defence Ltd plans to invest ₹10,000 crore in the aerospace business over the next decade, even as it prepares for India's first locally made commercial aircraft to take to the skies in about three years. Reliance Defence houses the aviation and munitions business of Reliance Infrastructure Ltd, a listed company. Part of its investment would be funded by Reliance Infra raising capital through preferential placement of shares, sale of shares to institutional buyers, and placement of foreign currency bonds—adding up to ₹17,600 crore. Reliance Infra also hopes to monetize nine road projects in its overall portfolio. 'That's the kind of roadmap we have ahead of us to be a global player. So five years from today, I think we would be in a position where we would be an integral part of the global aerospace domain," said said Rajesh Dhingra, managing director and chief executive of Reliance Defence, in an exclusive interview with Mint. He also said a 'Made in India' Falcon 2000 commercial jet is expected to fly by 2028. Reliance Aerostructure Ltd, a unit of Reliance Defence, is assembling French company Dassault Aviation SA's Falcon 2000 series jets in Nagpur as part of a 51:49 joint venture called Dassault Reliance Aerospace Ltd (DRAL). The jets will be the first Dassault aircraft to be made outside France. 'Dassault's approval for making its aircraft in India is a recognition of the capabilities and contribution of Reliance Defence," said Dhingra. 'It will also mark a proud moment for India as it will be among the few countries in the world to have the capabilities to manufacture a commercial aircraft." The aircraft will be put together from two new hangars that are being built, said Dhingra. This will double DRAL's manufacturing footprint to 400,000 and allow it to assemble 22 aircraft every year. Currently, the company is working on the most difficult sub assembly of the aircraft —the wheels—in addition to several other large and small components it assembles for both Falcon 2000 commercial jets and Dassault Rafale fighter jets. Reliance Infra's turnaround Reliance Group's increasing focus on the aerospace business coincides with Anil Ambani-led companies finding favour with investors. Reliance Infrastructure shares have surged by nearly 87% over the past 12 months. The company swung to a consolidated profit after tax of ₹9,177 crore in 2024-25 from a loss of ₹1,609 crore in FY24, although this was aided by a one-time exceptional income. It has also significantly reduced debt, giving it leeway to invest in new businesses such as defence and aviation. Reliance Infrastructure's association with Dassault began in 2017 after the Indian government placed an order to buy Rafale fighter jets for the Indian Air Force. Dassault was expected to localise some of its manufacturing operation in India as part of the deal, resulting in the joint venture with Reliance Aerostructure. Another joint venture, Thales Reliance Defence Systems, with French avionics company Thales SA, was also formed to make more aerospace parts in India. Thales holds a 51% stake in the venture. Reliance Defence sees itself eventually becoming a systems integrator in the aviation business on the lines of US-based Boeing Co. and Lockheed Martin Corp. and the Netherlands-headquartered Airbus SE, said Dhingra. Although all that Reliance Defence produces currently is exported to Dassault or Thales, Dhingra expects to engage further with the French companies to grow the business. The scope of the joint venture with Thales has been expanded to include establishing a logistics hub for the French company in the main air bases where the Rafales jets are housed. The joint venture is also helping Thales in upgrading systems in other fighter planes like Dassault Mirage 2000. Dhingra is confident of Reliance Defence doing more business with Dassault beyond the Falcon series given the growing association between the companies as more Indian personnel from the Dassault Reliance Aerospace joint venture are being deputed to work in France. 'What is key here is that our operations in the joint ventures are not India-specific, and to that extent the components that we make here are already finding their way into Dassault's aircraft sold around the world," he said. A push for 'Make in India' Industry experts see Dassault Reliance Aerospace's success paving the way for more global companies to outsource aerospace manufacturing and services to India as they look to diversify away from China. 'If successfully implemented, this initiative could establish India as a reputable aerospace centre, serving not only domestic markets but also participating in global supply chains," said Monish G. Chatrath, managing partner, MGC Global Risk Advisory. 'China has a market-access-driven model and India provides a more open and intellectual property-respecting ecosystem, establishing itself as a reliable foundation for long-term aerospace collaboration," he added. India's defence production is projected to double from ₹1.27 trillion in 2023-24 to ₹3 trillion by 2028-29, according to statistics released by the government. The increase in India's defence budget from ₹2.53 trillion in 2013-14 to ₹6.81 trillion in 2025-26 also underlines the growing opportunity in the sector. Rising demand in domestic and international defence and aerospace markets has attracted several Indian private companies to invest in the space. Apart from Reliance Defence, Pune-based Bharat Forge Ltd, the Tata Group and Mahindra Group have also outlined similar plans. Tata Group companies have invested in aerospace manufacturing and artillery while Bharat Forge has secured orders for its artillery from the Indian Army. Both Tata Advanced Systems Ltd and Bharat Forge have won orders from India's defence ministry for artillery guns and gun-towing systems. Although Reliance Defence has not won any orders from the Indian government or the Air Force, it expects to eventually play a bigger role in the domestic industry, focusing on aerospace and artillery, Dhingra said. The company has taken early steps in that direction by tying up with state-owned Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd to upgrade Germany-based Dornier Group GmbH's aircraft. Although Reliance Defence has tied up with US-based Genesis Aerosystems to carry out the job, Dhingra said it was rare for a company that's not an original equipment manufacturer to be tasked with the upgradation of an aircraft. After the first phase in which 37 Dornier aircraft were upgraded, Reliance Defence has received an order for upgrading another 18 aircraft. With a total 250 Dorniers in service, Reliance Defence is expecting orders for upgrading another 50-60 aircraft this year. Dhingra is also expecting upgradation orders from India's defence fleet of over 800 legacy aircraft and helicopters.
Time of India
26-06-2025
- Business
- Time of India
India to get Tejas Mk1A this fiscal: Here is how it compares with China's JF 17, Rafale, F-16
HAL CMD D K Sunil has stated that the Indian Air Force will receive at least six Tejas Mk-1A fighter jets by March 2026. The Tejas Mk-1A, India's indigenously developed single-engine multirole fighter aircraft, is designed to operate in high-threat air environments and carry out air defence, maritime reconnaissance, and strike missions. 'The Tejas Mk-1A is a world-class aircraft comprising a high-quality radar, electronic warfare suites and an array of missiles,' Sunil said. 'It has got a full complement of avionics and weapons which make the aircraft a very potent platform. It will be very good for our Air Force,' he added. In February 2021, the Ministry of Defence signed a ₹48,000 crore contract with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) to procure 83 Tejas Mk-1A jets. The ministry is now processing an additional deal to acquire 97 more aircraft at a cost of around ₹67,000 crore. According to Sunil, the Mk-1A will replace the Indian Air Force's ageing MiG-21 fighters and is a key component of India's effort to achieve greater self-reliance in defence production. Specification Tejas Mk1A Dassault Rafale F‑16 Block 70 JF‑17 Block III FA‑50 Golden Eagle Country India France USA Pakistan / China South Korea Manufacturer HAL / ADA Dassault Aviation Lockheed Martin PAC / Chengdu KAI / Lockheed Martin Number Built 51 ~240 ~3,100 177 ~220 Orders 180 (83 + 97 cleared) 234 (including India) 112 50–60 export orders 48 (Poland), 18 (Malaysia) Length 43.3 ft 50.2 ft 49.3 ft 47.0 ft 43.0 ft Wingspan 26.9 ft 35.8 ft 31.0 ft 31.0 ft 31.0 ft Height 14.4 ft 17.5 ft 16.7 ft 15.0 ft 16.2 ft Empty Weight 6,560 kg 10,300 kg 9,207 kg 7,965 kg 7,200 kg Max Payload 5,300 kg 9,500 kg ~7,700 kg 3,700 kg ~4,300 kg MTOW ~13,500 kg 24,500 kg 21,772 kg 13,500 kg 12,300 kg Engine 1 × GE F404-IN20 2 × Snecma M88-2 1 × GE F110-GE-129 1 × Klimov RD-93MA 1 × GE F404 or EJ200 Max Thrust 84 kN 150 kN (combined) 129 kN 84.4 kN ~98 kN Fuel Capacity – 4,700 L internal 7,000 L ~3,000 L 2,990 L Ferry Range ~3,000 km 3,700 km 4,220 km 3,482 km ~1,852 km Max Speed 2,200 km/h (Mach 1.8) 1,912 km/h (Mach 1.8) 2,414 km/h (Mach 2.0+) 1,975–2,200 km/h (Mach 1.6–1.8) 1,837 km/h (Mach 1.5) Service Ceiling ~15,000 m 15,240 m 18,300 m ~16,700 m 14,630 m Unit Cost US $39–42 M US $90–100 M (estimated) US $50–60 M ~US $25 M US $30 M by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Belly Fat Removal Without Surgery in Philippines: The Price Might Surprise You Belly Fat Removal | Search Ads Get Info Undo Dassault Rafale The Dassault Rafale, produced by France's Dassault Aviation, is a twin-engine 4.5-generation fighter known for its versatility, nuclear capability, and use by several NATO and allied air forces. The Indian Airforce operates 36 of these jets and the Indian navy has also ordered 26 of its maritime variant. Live Events F-16 The F-16 Block 70 is the latest and most advanced variant of the widely exported American single-engine fighter, offering improved radar, avionics, and combat range. JF-17 The JF-17 Block III, a product of collaboration between Pakistan and China, is a cost-effective, single-engine multirole fighter aimed at meeting the operational needs of developing air forces. FA-50 The FA-50 Golden Eagle, jointly developed by South Korea's KAI and Lockheed Martin, is a lightweight supersonic fighter and trainer aircraft tailored for air policing, light attack, and lead-in fighter training missions. HAL Tejas vs Pak F-16 One of the key comparisons being drawn around the Tejas Mk-1A is with the US-made F-16, which continues to form the backbone of Pakistan's fighter fleet. While the F-16 remains a capable platform, many of the aircraft in Pakistan's inventory date back to the 1980s. In contrast, the Tejas Mk-1A features modern avionics, advanced electronic warfare systems, and an indigenously developed AESA radar, which enhances its tracking and targeting performance. IAF squadrons numbers IAF is looking at inducting different types of fighter jets as the number of its fighter squadrons has gone down to 31 from officially sanctioned strength of 42. The government recently gave the clearance to HAL to start work on India's fifth generation aircraft called Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA). The air force is expected to by 120 AMCA aircrafts and 324 Tejas aircrafts over the coming years. GE F404 engine delay HAL CMD D K Sunil attributed the delay in Tejas Mk-1A production to the inability of GE Aerospace to supply F404 jet engines on schedule. 'The engine deliveries have not happened from GE Aerospace. They were to deliver the engines in 2023. Till date, we have got only one engine,' he said. Sunil explained that the delay was initially caused by production setbacks during the Covid-19 pandemic, followed by the departure of several senior engineers from GE, which led to cascading supply chain disruptions. However, he confirmed that the technical and logistical issues have now been resolved, and HAL expects to receive 12 engines by March 2026.
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Business Standard
25-06-2025
- Business
- Business Standard
France's Safran to set up Rafale engine maintenance unit in Hyderabad
French aerospace firm Safran on Tuesday announced a new facility in Hyderabad to support maintenance operations for Rafale fighter jet engines. The upcoming unit, named Safran Aircraft Engine Services India, will specifically handle the maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) of M88 engines used in the Dassault Rafale aircraft, reported news agency PTI. The project is expected to generate around 150 jobs by the end of 2025. Additional phases could add up to 750 more positions, the report mentioned, citing a statement from the Telangana government. Pierre Fernandez, general manager of Safran Aerospace, shared the update during a meeting with Telangana Industries Minister D Sridhar Babu. 'We look forward to expanding our presence with the upcoming Safran Aircraft Engine Services India, focused on LEAP engine MRO services and scheduled to be operational before the end of the year, as well as a newly announced fourth site to provide maintenance for the M88 military jet engine powering the Dassault Rafale,' Fernandez said. Safran already runs two facilities in Hyderabad — one that manufactures electrical harnesses for CFM LEAP engines and Rafale fighters, and another that produces rotating parts for the LEAP engine's low-pressure turbine, the report added. 'Over the past few years, Safran has benefited from significant support from the Telangana government. We are proud to contribute to the region's dynamic aerospace ecosystem and to help position Telangana as a major hub for the aerospace industry in India,' the statement mentioned. Earlier this month, Dassault Aviation and Tata Advanced Systems Limited also signed four Production Transfer Agreements to manufacture key structural sections of the Rafale aircraft in Hyderabad. This will be the first time the fuselage of the Rafale will be built in India, for both domestic and export markets, at a facility Tata Advanced Systems is setting up in the city.
New Indian Express
25-06-2025
- Business
- New Indian Express
Safran to maintain Rafale engines in Hyderabad
HYDERABAD: French aerospace company Safran has announced plans to establish a new Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) facility in Hyderabad. The facility, Safran Aircraft Engine Services India, will be dedicated exclusively to servicing the M88 military engines used in Dassault Rafale fighter jets. This will be the first such facility for the M88 engine outside France. The announcement was made by Safran general manager Pierre Fernandez in the presence of IT and Industries Minister D Sridhar Babu during a high-level roundtable organised by the Indo-French Chamber of Commerce & Industry (IFCCI) at the Secretariat on Tuesday. The facility is expected to create around 150 new jobs by the end of next year, with the possibility of adding a further 750 jobs in later phases.
Time of India
24-06-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Safran to set up maintenance centre in Hyderabad for M88 military jet engine powering Rafale
France-based Safran Aerospace on Tuesday announced plans to establish a new entity-Safran Aircraft Engine Services India-in Hyderabad, which will focus on the maintenance and overhaul of Rafale fighter jet engines, specifically the M88 engines. The initiative is expected to create approximately 150 new jobs by the end of next year, with the potential to add another 750 positions in subsequent phases, according to a press release from the Telangana government. Pierre Fernandez, General Manager of Safran Aerospace, met Industries Minister D Sridhar Babu and announced the plans. "We look forward to expanding our presence with the upcoming Safran Aircraft Engine Services India , focused on LEAP engine MRO services and scheduled to be operational before the end of the year, as well as a newly announced fourth site to provide maintenance for the M88 military jet engine powering the Dassault Rafale," the release quoted Fernandez as saying. Safran currently operates two world-class sites in Hyderabad: Safran Electrical & Power India, dedicated to manufacturing electrical harnesses for CFM LEAP engines and the Dassault Rafale fighter, and Safran Aircraft Engines Hyderabad, which specializes in the production of rotating parts for the LEAP engine's low-pressure turbine. Live Events The company expressed its gratitude to Sridhar Babu for inviting Safran to participate in a roundtable discussion with a delegation of French companies investing in Telangana, led by the Indo-French Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the release stated. "Over the past few years, Safran has benefited from significant support from the Telangana government. We are proud to contribute to the region's dynamic aerospace ecosystem and to help position Telangana as a major hub for the aerospace industry in India ," it added.
